Long-term dynamics of groundwater levels under rice-based irrigation systems in South-East Kazakhstan
Barmakova D.B. Rodrigo-Ilarri J. Shakibayev I.I. Rodrigo-Clavero M.-E. Yerikuly Z. Zavaley V.A.
March 2026Springer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Paddy and Water Environment
2026#24Issue 1139 - 153 pp.
Kazakhstan, located predominantly in an arid climatic zone, relies heavily on irrigation to sustain paddy farming and ensure food security. However, prolonged irrigation practices have substantially altered the groundwater regime, affecting groundwater levels, recharge-discharge patterns and the water-salt balance of soils. These transformations, often difficult to reverse, impact both irrigated lands and adjacent areas, compromising land productivity and the sustainability of rice farming systems. Groundwater dynamics in these areas result from the interplay between natural factors (such as climatic variability, natural drainage and sediment filtration properties) and anthropogenic drivers, including the types and condition of irrigation systems, crop patterns, irrigation scheduling and water management practices. In recent years, climate change, water scarcity, and the degradation of irrigation infrastructure have intensified these processes. This study, based on long-term hydrogeological monitoring data, analyses groundwater regime changes in rice-based irrigation systems of South-East Kazakhstan and evaluates their implications for soil conditions and agricultural productivity. The results reveal heterogeneous spatial and temporal patterns: declining groundwater levels in some areas have alleviated waterlogging and improved soil conditions, while other zones still suffer from waterlogging and soil salinization, limiting crop yields. The identified patterns provide a robust basis for designing adaptive irrigation and groundwater management strategies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of rice farming systems under increasing climatic and hydrological challenges.
Groundwater dynamics , Irrigation management , Rice irrigation systems , South-East kazakhstan
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Department of Hydrogeology, Engineering and Oil and Gas Geology, Geology and Oil-Gas Business Institute named after K. Turyssov, Satbayev University, 22a Satpaev St, Almaty, 050013, Kazakhstan
Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y del Medio Ambiente (IIAMA), Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), Camino de Vera s/n, Valencia, 46022, Spain
Republican state institution Zonal Hydrogeological and Reclamation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 113 Baishev St, Almaty, 050018, Kazakhstan
Groundwater Department, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 8 Mangilik el Av., Astana, Z05K5K8, Kazakhstan
Department of Hydrogeology
Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y del Medio Ambiente (IIAMA)
Republican state institution Zonal Hydrogeological and Reclamation Center of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Groundwater Department
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