Abstract
Floodplains of Sokoto Basin with covering about 280,000 hectares of land was assessed for its shallow groundwater potentials. Data on pumping test of tube wells, logs and drilled tube wells were utilized for this study. Storativity was determined from known lithology of tube wells. Results of this study gives the ranges and averages of Hydraulic parameters for the shallow alluvial aquifers of hydraulic conductivity, transmissivity, specific capacity and storativity to be 6.66 - 1316 m/day and 214,044 m/day, 40 – 3950 m2/day and 799.5 m2/day, 12.25 – 5763.6 m3/day and 1,031m3/day and 1×10-5 - 6×10-3 and 5×10-4 respectively, While the Yields range of 0.3- 7 l/s was obtained with 90% of tube wells evaluated having yields of 2.2 l/s and above. Lithologic Aquiferous units vary from medium sands, sands, coarse sands to gravel with thickness range of between 0.3 to 15 m. Computed hydraulic conductivity indicates the aquifer materials to be gravels and alluvial sands of high permeability. Specific capacity values indicated the wells to be of high productivity when compared with standard values, Transmissivity average revealed the area to be of high groundwater transmission potentials. Overall assessment of the yields of tube wells studied indicated that 90% of the wells have yields that are above the minimum required for irrigation; the low average drawdown of 0.41 m recorded is an indication that the aquifers have high efficiency and high performance as regards storage and transmission of water. Recharge of the alluvial aquifers is mainly through surface river flow and precipitation, climate change have recently threaten the recharge potential s owing to the drying up of some of these streams and rivers at the peak of dry season as well reduction in rainfall. Statistical analysis has shown a good linear relationship between Specific capacity with yield, Transmissivity and hydraulic conductivity while Transmissivity is linearly related with yield and Conductivity. Generally the study revealed that the Sokoto basin Fadama land to be of high groundwater potentials, with storage coefficient values of confined and high yielding aquifers with capabilities of sustaining withdrawals for long period without recharge from external sources. Standard procedures are highly recommended to reduce or avoid the case of drilling abortive or low yielding wells.
Highlights
Fadama is any low-lying land which is subject to seasonal flooding or waterlogging, including the floodplains of rivers and streams which has been inundated together with seasonal pools and depressions where land is moistened due to the rise in the water table, [1]
Fadama and Floodplains Agriculture is being practiced throughout the dry season, Fadama land may be cultivated almost continuously, as rice can be grown in the wet season and followed by variety of dry season crops which rely on accumulated soil moisture or irrigation, [1]
The Fadama land in the Sokoto basin comprises the floodplains of the Niger and Sokoto-Rima and the land along the tributaries together with the shallow depressions and valley heads which dissect the upland
Summary
Fadama is any low-lying land which is subject to seasonal flooding or waterlogging, including the floodplains of rivers and streams which has been inundated together with seasonal pools and depressions where land is moistened due to the rise in the water table, [1]. The total irrigation potentials of Nigeria is put at 2.0 million hectares, out of this figure the Fadama lands of northern Nigeria occupied about 0.94 million hectares, [2]. The area of study constitutes about 280,000 hectares of the Fadama land / Floodplains. Due to the vulnerability of rain fed agriculture to decrease in rain [5,6] this have being bringing added pressure and competition on the Fadama Alluvial aquifers. [7] pointed out that Fadama is important for irrigation potentials and as a major source of groundwater for domestic consumption and livestock grazing. The traditional methods of irrigation involve lifting of water from perennial streams by Shadufs, or bucket on poles from shallow depressions and valley heads which dissect the uplands, this lead to only small percentage of the Fadama area to be used. The traditional methods of irrigation involve lifting of water from perennial streams by Shadufs, or bucket on poles from shallow depressions and valley heads which dissect the uplands, this lead to only small percentage of the Fadama area to be used. [8] pointed out that groundwater
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