Suitable sites for groundwater development: A  capture map-based approach integrated with weighted overlay analysis             

Abstract

We propose a novel methodology for the groundwater potential zonation with the integration of capture fraction in a multi-objective problem. Each hydrogeological feature such as lakes, ponds and river stretches are influenced by the groundwater extraction through pumping wells and the specific distance of the pumping wells from these features. Analysis of the capture is crucial in managing the quantity aspect of surface water & groundwater resources, as properly developed capture maps could help in taking safety measures for present and future water usage in the area. This paper discusses the methodology for the identification of groundwater potential areas based on capture maps and their application in water resources management. The optimum location of pumping wells has been identified based on the capture and pumping cost. The methodology has been applied on the lower Ain River basin, France. Using the prediction capabilities of the groundwater model, capture map for the river inflow, river outflow, storage-in, storage-out and drawdown were developed up to the year 2060 and the results were interpreted. Time series forecast algorithms were applied in predicting the water levels and flow into the river. Results show that leakage in was more dominated in the region considered in comparison to leakage out.