Hydrogeomorphological mapping using geospatial techniques for assessing the groundwater potential of Rambiara river basin, western Himalayas

Rayees Ahmad Shah,Suhail Ahmad Lone

doi:10.1007/s13201-019-0941-9

Rayees Ahmad Shah, Suhail Ahmad Lone

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-019-0941-9

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Abstract

Integration of geospatial techniques (remote sensing and geographical information system) for the identification of groundwater potential has become an important tool in evaluating, monitoring and conserving groundwater resources. Effective utilization of groundwater resources has become important due to changing climatic scenario. Hence, estimating the zones of potential groundwater recharge is extremely important for the protection and management of water quality of groundwater systems. In this study, Rambiara river basin, southern-eastern part of Kashmir valley, was examined to assess its groundwater resource potential. Geospatial techniques were used to assimilate five causative factors: lithology/geology, land use and land cover, lineaments, drainage, and slope. The factor weight contributing to the groundwater recharge was acquired using satellite image data, lithological/geological maps, and a land use/land cover database followed by field validations. Based on the results obtained, it was observed that the premier recharge potential zones are located down the slope of the river basin due to the dominance of alluvium and agricultural land. Hard rock lithology located towards upstream areas of the basin allows less water to infiltrate.

Highlights

Groundwater is an important natural resource of fresh water for potable water supply in both urban and rural environment (Fashae et al 2014; Lone et al 2016)
The Karewa deposits are fluvio-lacustrine, glacio-fluvio-lacustrine and aeolian origin composed of clay, silt, sand and boulders (Agarwal et al 2018) of about 4 Ma old and about 1300 m thickness. This class is the most appropriate and promising groundwater potential area in the lithology because on high porosity created by the loose and unconsolidated sediments. Another promising area of groundwater recharge is the area with limestone lithology rocks, because of its high secondary porosity
Our results show that the groundwater recharge potential zone of Rambiara river basin can be divided into seven grades, namely very high, high, moderate, low, very low, poor and very poor, based on the examination of the five factors of groundwater recharge potential

Summary

Introduction

Groundwater is an important natural resource of fresh water for potable water supply in both urban and rural environment (Fashae et al 2014; Lone et al 2016). It plays a substantial role in human life, as well as that of some aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Groundwater contributes about 34% of total annual water supply in most parts of the India (Magesh et al 2011). Change in form of precipitation and a decreasing trend in the snowfall and river flow (Lone et al 2016), is leading to water shortage, which has laid more emphasis on groundwater resources.

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