Baseflow in Rivers

Context:

A recent research study focused on six major river basins—Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery—examines the impact of heavy rainfall, baseflow, and river floods in Peninsular India, highlighting the factors contributing to regional flooding.

What is Baseflow?

Baseflow is the continuous flow of water in a river channel that originates from groundwater seepage. It represents the portion of river discharge maintained between rainfall events, typically replenished by groundwater stored in the saturated zone.

Connection between Baseflow and River Flooding:

In the event of floods, increased rainfall raises river flow, and when baseflow levels are high, it can exacerbate flood severity. This occurs because higher baseflow levels signal wetter conditions, which make the catchment area more susceptible to rapid runoff during heavy rainfall.