Investigation of the trend of groundwater level changes and drought indicators GRI and SWI in Sari – Neka plain

Reducing the groundwater level due to irregular exploitation of these resources has caused land subsidence in most plains of our country. Study of this reduction in the groundwater level and trend of changes is essential for groundwater resources management and prevent adverse effects of irregular exploitation. In this paper, the indices of groundwater resource index (GRI) and the water level standardized (SWI) as two important index in hydrological drought were studied. To this goal, data from 40 pizometric wells located in Sari – Neka plain was used during the period of 30 years. In this study, first indicators of GRI and SWI in a year using the existing relations in the software Minitab 17 and M.S. Excel 2016 were calculated. And then, Using Mann - Kendall and Sen's slops in the application environment Makesens trends were examined. The results showed that both indices at the level of 99% has been declining and drought severity based on these two indicators has increased with time. As the drought severity in two indices for annual scale in 1394 and best wet for two indices for 1369, The main reason for the increase is the number of wells in operation, resulting in irregular exploitation of groundwater resources for agriculture in plain.