Assessment of Under Ground Water Resources through RS and GIS Techniques

Abstract

Water resource management is of utmost importance due to climate change and increased water demand. With 98% of the world’s freshwater being ground water, monitoring its distribution is crucial. These modern-day tools aid in assessing changing land use patterns, mapping water resources, and analyzing hydrogeological data. This paper explores the role of RS and GIS applications in exploring and assessing groundwater resources, estimating natural recharge distribution, analyzing hydrogeological data, and monitoring processes. The study area is situated in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, India, characterized by a dry region with sand dunes, alluvial areas, and scattered hillocks. To analyze groundwater potential zones, various spatial datasets such as rainfall, land use, land cover, soil type, and slope were prepared using topographic maps and satellite imagery through integrated RS and GIS techniques. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) integrated with ArcGIS software was used to estimate run off and groundwater recharge through water balance ratios. The research findings demonstrate that GIS and RS layers were analyzed, including factors such as watershed, land use, slope, soil type, temperature, solar radiation, and rainfall data. The water balance ratio was found to be a driving force impacting soil erosion, plant growth, and sediment movement. Overall, this study highlights the effectiveness of RS and GIS techniques for assessing groundwater recharge. The results obtained through these tools provide valuable insights for decision-makers in managing water resources and understanding the potential impacts of human activities on groundwater quality.