Identifying aquifer recharge areas based on secondary information in the Chinchiná river basin and reviewing its current status

Identifying potential aquifer recharge zones is essential for sustainable groundwater management, particularly in regions affected by land-use changes and climate variability. This study aimed to map and assess aquifer recharge areas in the Chinchiná River Basin using secondary data and GIS-based spatial analysis based on the soil balance method proposed by Schosinsky. Key variables included monthly precipitation, vegetation cover, slope, soil texture, and evapotranspiration. Infiltration coefficients ranged from 0.06 in steep areas to 0.30 in flat zones. Three main recharge zones were identified: the southeastern Rioclaro River sub-basin (200–300 mm/year), the northeastern Guacaica River sub-basin (100–200 mm/year), and the flatlands near the Cauca River mouth (300–400 mm/year). Vegetation cover significantly influenced infiltration rates, with dense forest showing higher retention capacity than agricultural or urban areas. However, unprotected zones such as the Guacaica and Cauca rivers are under increasing threat from deforestation and unplanned urban expansion. These findings highlight the importance of integrating hydrogeological assessments into regional land-use planning and align with national policies such as Colombia's National Water Policy and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6. The methodology provides a replicable framework for identifying recharge areas in similar tropical Andean basins where data availability is limited.