GIS based site and structure selection model for groundwater recharge: a hydrogeomorphic approach

Area of Science:

• Hydrogeology
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Environmental Management

Background:

• Groundwater resources in India face critical depletion due to over-exploitation, altered land use, and inadequate management.
• Effective groundwater development necessitates integrating multidisciplinary data for informed decision-making.
• A hydrogeomorphic approach utilizing GIS offers a robust platform for spatial analysis of groundwater recharge data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a GIS-based model for accurate identification and suitability analysis of zones for groundwater recharge.
• To locate optimal sites for artificial recharge structures, addressing critical groundwater issues in India.
• To integrate diverse datasets for enhanced spatial analysis in groundwater management.

Main Methods:

• Utilized satellite imagery to generate geomorphological and land use maps.
• Integrated spatial data layers including slope, surface infiltration, and drainage order in GIS.
• Employed Weighted Index Overlay Analysis and Boolean logic for site suitability assessment.
• Developed a complex matrix based on climatic, topographic, hydrogeologic, and land use conditions for structure identification, adhering to Central Ground Water Board guidelines.
• Implemented a user-friendly GIS algorithm using Arc Macro Language on the Arc/Info platform.

Main Results:

• The GIS model accurately identified suitable zones and specific sites for artificial groundwater recharge.
• The methodology facilitated the selection of appropriate artificial recharge structures based on integrated environmental and hydrogeological data.
• The developed model provides a decision-support tool for sustainable groundwater management.

Conclusions:

• A GIS-based hydrogeomorphic approach is effective for spatial analysis and decision-making in groundwater recharge planning.
• The developed model enhances accuracy in identifying suitable locations and structures for artificial recharge.
• This approach supports improved groundwater resource management and mitigation of over-exploitation issues in India.