Development of Groundwater Flow Model (Modflow) to Simulate the Escalating Groundwater Pumping in the Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

The application of groundwater resources in Punjab, Pakistan to meet the crop water requirements is increasing rapidly due to constrained surface water supplies. However, the abundant abstraction of groundwater has created serious negative concerns in terms of lowering water table. Thus the sustainability of regional groundwater resources depends upon its proficient management through groundwater modeling technique. Therefore, a research was accomplished to quantify the groundwater pumping and to identify the groundwater depletion areas using MODFLOW model. Three pumping scenarios were developed up to year 2030: such as Scenario-I (Maintaining the current pumping rate for the study period); Scenario-II (Increase in pumping rate according to the historical trend); and Scenario-III (Adjusted canal water supplies and groundwater patterns). The results of Scenario-I indicated that the groundwater level would decline up to 14m for the study period. Scenario-II results showed maximum decline of groundwater level, which would be 18m up to year 2030. The adjusted canal and groundwater supplies among upper and middle part of the study area in Scenario-III, which will recover the groundwater by 2-3m in the middle part of the study area, gave a good management strategy. So, in lower and middle part of study area, groundwater should be artificially recharged and more canal should be supplied water to avoid depletion.

Investigating effects of deficit irrigation levels and fertilizer rates on water use efficiency and productivity based on field observations and modeling approaches

“…Previous studies used the CROPWAT model to estimate crop water requirements in irrigated areas of Pakistan. 44,46,66,67 However, the coupling effects of CROPWAT ETc based deficit irrigation levels and NP fertilizer rates are unclear for bread wheat under bed planting technique in irrigated areas of Pakistan. It was hypothesized that deficit irrigation based on CROPWAT ETc and optimized fertilizer application could improve grain yield, WUE, and NUE by saving water and fertilizer.…”

“…19 Several studies examined the effects of FAO CROPWAT modelbased irrigation levels on various crops in Pakistan. [44][45][46][47][48] However, the combined effect of the CROPWAT model-based irrigation levels and various nitrophos fertilizers rates on bread wheat is still unclear under bed plantation at small farms in irrigated areas of Pakistan. The main objectives of the current study were (1) to examine the coupling effects of various nitrophos fertilizer rates and CROPWAT modelbased irrigation levels on the wheat grain yield, yield parameters, NUE, and WUE compared to the traditional farmers' practice; and…”

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Groundwater Storage in Pakistan from Gravimetric Observations

“…The area irrigated by tube wells in Punjab has grown in comparison to other provinces (Zakir-Hassan et al, 2023). Due to limited surface water supplies, Punjab is using groundwater resources more and more frequently to meet crop water requirements (Shakoor et al, 2018).…”

Agrovoltaic and Smart Irrigation: Pakistan Perspective

“…However, many farmers pump groundwater beyond their agriculture requirements thereby massive pressure, which leads to a declining groundwater table. For instance, Shakoor et al [83] reveal that if the historical trend of groundwater pumping continues, the water table in Punjab might drop up to 18 m by 2030. Similarly in Balochistan, the groundwater is depleted at the rate of 2-3 m annually [82].…”