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Abstract
Renewable freshwater resources in Kuwait exist as inland lenses and serve as an emergency resource in the northern Raudhatain and Umm Al-Aish basins. Recent studies suggest the inland lenses across the Arabian Peninsula are more numerous than believed. Specific geologic and hydrologic conditions are requisite for the formation and sustainability of these resources. Investigations into lens geometry as a function of recharge are needed to assess the amount of available freshwater. This study uses a physical model to examine differences between inland and oceanic island lens geometry (i.e. thickness, length), as well as the effect of recharge rate on lens formation and degradation. Results demonstrate inland lenses are thinner and longer than oceanic island lenses, are correlated to recharge rate, extend laterally, and degrade through time. The proper management and estimation of known reserves and development of new resources depend on understanding inland freshwater lens dynamics.