GIS and Remote sensing Approach in Identifying Ground Water Recharge Zones of Cheriyal Watershed

Abstract

India has been bestowed with substantial water resources. Ground water, which is the source of more than 85 percent of rural domestic water requirements of the country, is depleting fast in many areas due to its large-scale withdrawal. Present study was conducted in a watershed to identify the ground water recharge zones and suitable structures using Remote Sensing coupled with Geographical Information System and Analytical Hierarchy Process. The parameters such as Geology, Geomorphology, Soil type, Land use, Lineament, Elevation, Slope and Ground water table depth were selected that are closely linked to surface and ground water availability. A base map of watershed was prepared by digitizing the boundary in bhuvan. The satellite images DEM 30 m, LISSIII 25 m and field inputs were used to derive different thematic maps. Multi criteria decision making was applied to all the parameters in thematic maps by assigning ranks from 1 to 5 scale and reclassified depending on its influence on the storage and movement of groundwater. The pair wise comparison for 6 layers were given based on the comparison between the layers and their relative importance towards groundwater prospects and a 6×6 matrix was formed. Based on the comparison matrix the reclassified maps were multiplied with normalized weights and added up in raster calculator to get the final suitability map. From the analysis it was found that 5.70 Percent area is highly suitable for recharge and 60.58 Percent of area was moderately suitable and 33.71 Percent was less suitable for recharge.