Sub-regional groundwater storage recovery in North China Plain after the South-to-North water diversion project

• GWS recovery was observed by 617 monitoring wells in NCP after MRP operation. GRACE detected similar patterns of depletion and with wells. Pumping decrease precipitation increase jointly drove recovery. The South-to-North water diversion Middle Route Project (MRP) is expected to alleviate the long-term groundwater storage (GWS) North China Plain (NCP) beginning its operation December 2014. This study aims investigate effect on comparing changes before (2003–2014) (2015–2018) analysis conducted using level data from NCP, then evaluated against satellite-based Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) Follow-On missions. On average a decreasing trend ?19.1 ± 5.1 mm/yr seen based well observations during 2003–2014, but +1.8 0.7 found 2015–2018. most prominent subregions where over-utilization had occurred NCP. exhibited capacity detect regional difficult distinguish sub-regional potential causes for were be complicated, not only caused reduction pumping as accelerated MRP-diverted water, also increasing recharge aquifers enhanced management system. findings highlight that has started gradual transition unsustainable benefit diversion.