Mapping Prospects for Artificial Groundwater Recharge Utilizing Remote Sensing and GIS Methods

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of groundwater and its overexploitation has led to a significant decline in groundwater resources in India, making it essential to identify potential recharge zones for aquifer recharge. A study was conducted to determine such potential recharge zones in the Nandhour-Kailash River watershed. The study area included 1481 streams divided into 12 sub-basins (SWS). The results show that the downstream Saraunj sub-basins (SWS-11) and Odra sub-basins (SWS-12) were high priority and required immediate soil and water conservation attention. Sub catchments Lobchla West (SWS-4), Deotar (SWS-5), Balot South (SWS-8), Nandhour (SWS-9), and Nakoliy (SWS-10) had medium priority and were designated for moderate soil erosion and degradation. In contrast, sub-catchments Aligad (SWS-1), Kundal (SWS-2), Lowarnala North (SWS-3), Bhalseni (SWS-6), and Uparla Gauniyarao (SWS-7) had low priority, indicating a low risk of soil erosion and degradation. Using the existing groundwater level data, the potential map of groundwater was validated to confirm its validity. According to the guidelines provided by the Integrated Mission for Sustainable Development (IMSD), the results of the groundwater potential zones for good to very good zones have been integrated at the slope and stream order. In a 120.94 km2 area with a slope of 0–5% in first-order streams, 36 ponds were proposed, and in a 218.03 km2 area with a slope of 15% in first- to fourth-order streams, 105 retention dams were proposed and recognized as possible sites for artificial groundwater recharge. The proposed water harvesting structure may aid in continuously recharging these zones and benefit water resource managers and planners. Thus, various governmental organizations can use the results to identify possible future recharge areas.

Mapping of Groundwater Recharge Zones in Hard Rock Aquifer through Analytic Hierarchy Process in Geospatial Platform

“…Conversely, vertisols were thought to belong to the heavy clay soil type, which increased runoff and limited recharge. In low rainfall regions, vertisols have low prospects of GWR and availability, with runoff harvesting being a more viable option for water management [67]. Clay shale deposits, like Vertisols, can experience seasonal variations in permeability due to cracking and volume changes, influencing GWR processes [68].…”

“…Clay shale deposits, like Vertisols, can experience seasonal variations in permeability due to cracking and volume changes, influencing GWR processes [68]. As Alfisol soil profiles have a lower water-holding capacity than Vertisol, GWR in Alfisols is higher than in Vertisols and hence the prospects of groundwater availability is greater [67,69]. GWR in Entisols can vary widely based on land use and land cover settings, with paddy fields, orchards, and crop plantations contributing to higher rates of infiltration and preventing excess runoff [70].…”