Groundwater Potential Zone Assessment Using Remote Sensing, Geographical Information System (GIS), and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) Techniques in Fogera Woreda, South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to know the groundwater potential zones in Fogera Woreda, south Gondar zone, Ethiopia. Through the utilization of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), remote sensing, and geographic information system (GIS), the study identified groundwater potential zones. Ten thematic layers were analyzed to delineate the groundwater potential zones, including land use and land cover (LULC), topographic wetness index (TWI), drainage density, lineament density, geology, slope, rainfall, elevation, and soil texture. By determining the relative importance of each thematic layer through AHP and combining all thematic layers through overlay analysis in a GIS environment, the study revealed a spatial variation in the distribution of groundwater potential zones. The results showed that excellent groundwater potentials cover 2.02% of the study area, moderate groundwater potentials cover 45.54%, poor groundwater potentials cover 51.2%, and extremely poor groundwater potentials cover 1.24% of the study area. The study provides valuable information that can be used for decision-making processes and the development of appropriate groundwater management strategies in the region.