Evaluation and utilization value of groundwater resources in the alluvial pluvial fan of Golmud, Qinghai Province

This peper is the result of hydrogeological survey engineering.

Objective Golmud is a rising city on the Qinghai- Tibet Plateau located on the southern edge of the Qaidam Basin. With the construction of various industrial parks and the establishment of the largest potash production base in China, the important role of groundwater resources has become more prominent. For the operation of industrial and mining enterprises and potash production bases, it is very important to find out the amount of underground water resources.

Methods Based on data collection, dynamic long view, borehole pumping test, etc., the regional groundwater natural resources and allowable exploitation were evaluated by using the recharge sum method, section runoff method, excretion sum method and combined numerical simulation method, etc.

Results The amount of groundwater natural resources in the alluvial fan of Golmud River is 199.8×10⁴ m³/d, and the allowable exploitation amount is 100×10⁴ m³/d.

Conclusion Millions of tons of underground water sources exist in Golmud area. To ensure an adequate recharge of groundwater, the condition for sustainable and stable exploitation is that the planned exploitation of six water sources (built/under construction/planning) reaches one million tons. Finally, a million- ton groundwater source with B + C groundwater reserves of 100×10⁴ m³/d is submitted.