Godavari Research Articles

Seasonal sediment plumes in the Krishna-Godavari basin using satellite observations

Diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd(λ)), a measure of water quality and an indicator to predict the euphotic zone, is one of the key optical variables in ocean studies that can be determined remotely from satellite sensors. Here, we examined the seasonal plume pattern and Kd(490) trends (2002–2021) in the coastal waters of Krishna-Godavari basin, India, using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data. Additionally, we discussed the dynamics of sediment plumes by analyzing multiple hydro-geophysical variables such as sea surface temperature (SST), wind speed, sea surface height anomaly (SSHA), river discharge, and precipitation dataset. Our result presents the first Kd(490) seasonal climatology and long-term trends of sediment plumes over the study region. We noticed that the plume is at its maximum during the summer, when there is an abundance of precipitation and river discharge, and the Kd(490) value can reach over 1.72 m-1. Contrarily, the sediment plume is nearly nonexistent during the rest of the season. During summer, the decrease of SST coincides with the increase of Kd(490) and vice versa. Furthermore, we observed that the surface waters had a homogenous SST during the winter, whereas stratified SSTs dominate at the surface during the summer. Although the temporal variability of Kd(490) is strongly dominated by the seasonal component, a long-term decreasing trend of about −0.00011 m-1y-1 in Kd(490) concentration is noted, and is associated with the decrease of the Godavari river discharge and sediment load during summer.

Study of Morphometric Characters of Puntius sarana (Hamilton) from Godavari River at Nanded region (Maharashtra State)

Study of Morphometric Characters of Puntius sarana (Hamilton) from Godavari River at Nanded region (Maharashtra State)

Capability and Robustness of Novel Hybridized Artificial Intelligence Technique for Sediment Yield Modeling in Godavari River, India

Suspended sediment yield (SSY) prediction plays a crucial role in the planning of water resource management and design. Accurate sediment prediction using conventional models is very difficult due to many complex processes. We developed a fully automatic highly generalized accurate and robust artificial intelligence models for SSY prediction in Godavari River Basin, India. The genetic algorithm (GA), hybridized with an artificial neural network (ANN) (GA-ANN), is a suitable artificial intelligence model for SSY prediction. The GA is used to concurrently optimize all ANN’s parameters. The GA-ANN was developed using daily water discharge, with water level as the input data to estimate the daily SSY at Polavaram, which is the farthest gauging station in the downstream of the Godavari River Basin. The performances of the GA-ANN model were evaluated by comparing with ANN, sediment rating curve (SRC) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models. It is observed that the GA-ANN contains the highest correlation coefficient (0.927) and lowest root mean square error (0.053) along with lowest biased (0.020) values among all the comparative models. The GA-ANN model is the most suitable substitute over traditional models for SSY prediction. The hybrid GA-ANN can be recommended for estimating the SSY due to comparatively superior performance and simplicity of applications.

Groundwater quality assessment and its insinuations in some parts of Aheri taluka dist. - Gadchiroli, Maharashtra

Aheri tehsil of Gadchiroli district in the Indian state of Maharashtra is located on the bank of the Pranhita River, a side stream of the Godavari River. In the present study, total five villages from Aheri taluka were selected to collect groundwater samples. A total number of 25 samples were collected, where five samples represent each village. This study is concerned with physicochemical parameters mainly electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, temperature, chloride, fluoride, total hardness, pH, nitrate, alkalinity, iron and turbidity to analyse groundwater quality. Out of 25 samples, eight samples of water were detected to be unfit for consumption. Hence, some remedial measures are suggestible. The study revealed the associations among all physicochemical parameters by correlation coefficient analysis.

DROUGHT PATTERN ASSESSMENT OVER MARATHWADA, INDIA THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIVARIATE ADVANCE DROUGHT RESPONSE INDEX

Abstract. The intensity and frequency with which recent drought events are occurring has made management of food and water a challenge. The situation in Indian subcontinent is no difference. The presented study takes inspiration from such problems to propose a remote sensing based multivariate advance drought response index (ADRI). The proposed multivariate index takes into consideration long term conditions of precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), brightness temperature and soil moisture in a linear way for 8-day drought assessment over drought affected Marathwada region, Maharashtra, India. A value of 33 corresponding to ADRI was found to be normal condition over two decades which corresponds to normal vegetation condition index (VCI) value of 51.1 and 54.2. The last 7 years shows a consistent pattern in the change of regional ADRI values which suggests the years in which agricultural assistance is needed over the region. Drought over the region is found to shift from central to eastern and northern regions in the last 5 years. Temporal analysis for the duration suggests up to 5 percent of the area of Marathwada has been facing severe drought conditions over the last decade while up to 70 percent of the area is experience below normal conditions with varying intensities of water stress. The districts of Latur, Parbhani, Hingoli and Nanded which are downstream river Godavari have been affected the most due to large percentage of land being under agriculture.

Arthur Cotton and the Development of Public Works

In the long history of violence and cruelty that defined the period of British rule in India, Arthur Cotton is one of the few men remembered today not for his crimes, but for the good he did for the people of India. Cotton’s irrigation projects protected millions of Indians from the threat of famine, but the true legacy of his work is global in scope. As a major figure in the development of India’s infrastructure for most of the nineteenth century, Cotton witnessed the British Empire struggle with questions about its role in facilitating public works projects. Despite the Empire’s dedication to the principles of free-market capitalism for issues relating to India, by the final decades of the nineteenth century the British had recognized the need for government- funded infrastructure projects, and they became the first modern nation to leverage public debt for major infrastructure projects. Arthur Cotton played an instrumental role in the development of state-supported public works through his highly successful irrigation projects on the Cauvery and Godavari rivers, promoting the success of these projects in his writing, and by providing a solution to the challenge of developing Indian cotton agriculture.

Freshwater fish diversity in hill streams of Saberi River in Eastern Ghats of Odisha, India

Freshwater fish diversity of the hill streams of Saberi River (a major tributary of the Godavari River system) in Koraput district in Eastern Ghats of southern Odisha was studied from September 2017 to August 2019. Sites for the present study were located between Gupteswar Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF) of Odisha on the eastern side, and Kanger Valley National Park of Chhattisgarh on the western side. A total of 36 species of freshwater fish belonging to 24 genera, 13 families and six orders were recorded from the study sites, of which two species are exotic. Family Cyprinidae dominated with 14 species. Species richness and diversity is greater during the pre-monsoon months followed by post-monsoon and monsoon months respectively. The physico-chemical parameters of water in the study sites during all seasons are within prescribed limits for fish culture. Among the four major types of fish habitats identified in the study sites (riffles, runs, pools and logs), pools were the most preferred, and logs the least preferred habitat for the fishes. Habitat analysis indicated that deep pools and runs are the primary habitats contributing to the maximum species diversity, and therefore, protection of these particular habitats is recommended for conservation and management of ichthyodiversity.

Impact of climate change on runoff regime of the Godavari River in India

Impact of climate change on runoff regime of the Godavari River in India

Construction of Plastic Concrete Seepage Cut-Off Wall for Polavaram Earth Cum Rockfill Dam

Abstract: Polavaram Project is being executed on River Godavari near Ramayyapeta village of Polavaram Mandal, West Godavari District, Andhra Pradesh. This multipurpose major project envisages construction of 2454m long Earth-cum-Rock fill (ECRF) dam across river Godavari near Polavaram with a maximum height of 50.32m. The proposed ECRF dam will be founded on a bed of sand. The depth of sand bed over the underlying rock strata varies from 30m to 90m at different location. To restrict the flow of seepage water through the sand bed, a plastic concrete diaphragm wall/Cut-Off wall is proposed with its top end embedded in the clay core of the ECRF Dam and the bottom end embedded into underlying hard rock. The wall was constructed of plastic concrete using panel construction method. Plastic concrete was selected to provide a seepage Cut-Off wall that has sufficient strength to withstand both static and seismic stresses beneath the new embankment, and yet is flexible enough to undergo seismic deformations, without cracking, with the surrounding soils. This paper illustrates the construction of the plastic concrete Cut-Off wall for the Polavaram ECRF dam, including the field and laboratory testing performed to confirm design wall stiffness, strength, and hydraulic conductivity requirements. The trial laboratory and field testing programs to determine plastic concrete mix design, and the QA/QC testing conducted during construction are presented. Keywords: ECRF, Plastic concrete, Cut-Off wall, Hydraulic grab, Trench cutter, Koden, Tremie

Distinct sources of bacterial branched GMGTs in the Godavari River basin (India) and Bay of Bengal sediments

Branched glycerol monoalkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGMGTs) are a group of membrane-spanning lipids produced by (yet) unidentified bacteria. They are characterized by a C-C bond connecting the two alkyl chains, which is thought to enhance membrane stability at higher temperatures. So far, they have been found in peats, lakes, and marine sediments, where their abundance relative to that of branched glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (brGDGTs) increases with temperature. However, the preferred niche(s) for production and the origin of brGMGTs in the terrestrial and marine realm remain unknown. Here we explore the occurrence of brGMGTs in soils, suspended particulate matter (SPM) and riverbed sediments in the Godavari River basin, and compare these with brGMGTs in a Holocene sediment core from the Bay of Bengal close to the Godavari River mouth. BrGMGTs are mostly detected in agricultural and/or regularly inundated soils, and in the river at sites with standing water and/or agricultural/wastewater effluents, as well as in the delta, where low oxygen conditions and/or high nutrient levels prevail. In contrast, brGMGTs are continuously present in the marine sediment core, but with a different isomeric composition than in the terrestrial realm, indicating a primarily marine source. The stable brGMGT distribution downcore and brGMGT-inferred temperature estimates which resemble the bottom water temperature, may suggest marine brGMGT production in the deep water column and/or sediments. However, to establish the proxy potential of brGMGTs for paleoreconstructions in the terrestrial and marine realm, brGMGT sources and environmental controls require further study.

Outlier detection in a few catchments of the Godavari river basin: A case study

The efficiency of the Grubbs-Beck test and the multiple Grubbs-Beck tests to detect discordant observations are compared in this research using a few catchment areas of the Godavari river basin in Maharashtra, India. The Multiple Grubbs-Beck tests are proven to be more effective than the original Grubbs-Beck tests when applied to the Weibull distribution. When using the Grubbs test, only one lower discordant observation was identified in all of the river stations, and no lower discordant observation was found in the Somanpally river station when using the Multiple Grubbs Beck test (MGBT) five survey catchments.

Multi-Model Assessment of Streamflow Simulations under Climate and Anthropogenic Changes Exemplified in Two Indian River Basins

This study aims to evaluate the climate- and human-induced impacts on two contrasting river basins in India, specifically, the Ganges and the Godavari. Monthly discharge simulations from global hydrological models (GHMs), run with and without human influence using CMIP5 projections under the framework of the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project, are utilized to address the scientific questions related to the quantification of the future impacts of climate change and the historical impacts of human activities on these river basins. The five state-of-the-art GHMs were considered and subsequently used to evaluate the human and climate change impacts on river discharges (seasonal mean discharge and extreme flows) during the pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon seasons under the RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios. Results showed that human impacts during the baseline period on long-term seasonal discharge in the Ganges and Godavari River basins for the pre-monsoon season are around 40% and 23%, respectively, and these impacts are stronger than the future climate change impact in the pre-monsoon season for the Ganges basin, whereas, for the Godavari basin, the same pattern is observed with some exceptions. The human impact in the course of the historical period on the pre-monsoon flows of both the Ganges and the Godavari are more significant than on the monsoon and post-monsoon flows. In the near future (2010–39) time slice, the impact of climate change on the streamflow of the Ganges is highest for the post-monsoon season (13.4%) under RCP 8.5 as compared to other seasons. For Godavari, in the near-future period, this impact is highest for the pre-monsoon season (18.2%) under RCP 2.6. Climate-induced changes in both of the basins during both the monsoon and post-monsoon seasons is observed to have a higher impact on future flows than direct human impact-induced changes to flow during the current period. High flows (31.4% and 19.9%) and low flows (51.2% and 36.8%) gain greater influence due to anthropogenic actions in the time of the pre-monsoon season compared to other times of year for the Ganges and Godavari basins, respectively. High flows for the Ganges during the near future time slice are most affected in the monsoon season (15.8%) under RCP 8.5 and, in the case of the Godavari, in the pre-monsoon season (18.4%) under the RCP 2.6 scenario. Low flows of the Ganges during the near-future period are most affected during the monsoon season (22.3%) and for the Godavari, low flows are affected most for the post-monsoon season (22.1%) under RCP 2.6. Uncertainty in the streamflow estimates is more pronounced for the Godavari basin compared to the Ganges basin. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the natural and human-influenced flow regimes in these river basins, which helps the formation of future strategies, especially for inter-state and transboundary river management.

Long-term spatial and temporal trend analysis of stream flow and suspended sediment transport of Godavari River Basin, India

Long-term spatial and temporal trend analysis of stream flow and suspended sediment transport of Godavari River Basin, India

SARIMA approach for modelling and forecasting of monthly stream flow of Godavari river in India

SARIMA approach for modelling and forecasting of monthly stream flow of Godavari river in India

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Water Discharge using the Performance Indicator, in the Canals of the Nashik Irrigation Network

In western India, the water for irrigation is supplied by the open inundation channels of the reservoir having its predominant distribution there. The Irrigation management faces issues of less capacitated water distribution systems than its apex requirement, has irregular supply rate, low inundation efficiency, and consistency. It is important to measure the delivered water supply with required water delivery in proportion to its demand. The auto water elevated gauges which are fixed at the back and front segments of each inundation canal at the left bank channel of the Godavari river assess the discharge of supplied water during the irrigation period. In the current research, the computation would be conducted for the water delivery performance indicators such as competency, productivity, prominence, and rectitude, which are fundamental for the assessment of the irrigation and drainage system management. According to the water supply performance indicator, the inundation ability is calculated with an automatic water gauge. It is measured from the structural and transient channeling of water discharge to examine the inefficiency of water supply management. The cumulative results of the performance indicator demonstrate the enhanced methods to develop water management policies that will facilitate the irrigation planners with improved temporal consistency and reasonable water distribution.

Impact of Coal Pollution on Liver Enzyme (Alanine Transaminase) of Channa striata (Bloch) of Godavari Khani (Telangana), India

Godavari khani in Telangana is located on the banks of river Godavari and has large coal deposits. Coal mining in this area has greatly impacted the surrounding environment. Flora, fauna, quality of air and also the waters in and around have been drastically affected by the coal dust and coal ash emanating from the coal mines. Quite a number of respiratory disorders, skin diseases and also sometimes, cancer are linked to coal pollution. Though the impact of coal pollution has been reported, in leading local dailies, not many systematic studies have been conducted to learn about the coal pollution on physiology of aquatic animals. Channa striata is the common fish found in the waters, of Godavari khani and this fish was selected for the present study. As liver is the major detoxifying organ of the body, its vital enzymes, are drastically affected under the influence of toxicants and pollutants. In the present study, major liver enzyme such as Alanine transaminase, one of the biomarker for liver damage was selected. The enzyme levels in the serum were estimated under the influence of varying concentrations of coal dust and coals ash (0.5%, 1% and 2%). The enzyme showed significant (PP<0.01) upsurge under the influence of coal dust and coal ash as compared to the control fish. However, the impact of coal dust was greater when compared to that of coal ash. Our results clearly demonstrated that coal pollution drastically affects the liverenzyme, Alanine transaminase, probably due to destruction of hepatocytes.

Groundwater quality assessment for irrigation use in the Godavari Delta region of east coast India using IRWQI and GIS

Abstract The present work was carried out in the deltaic region of the river Godavari in coastal Andhra Pradesh of southern India to evaluate the status of groundwater quality for irrigation. Groundwater is predominantly used in these productive agricultural fields. Saline water intrusion in fresh groundwater aquifers, which is mainly due to the excess withdrawal of groundwater, was recorded in the study area. A total of 80 groundwater samples were analyzed for physical and chemical parameters using standard chemical procedures. The groundwater mainly represents Na+–Cl− type, which shows the mixing of fresh water with saline water. The high correlation between Na+–Cl− and Mg2+–HCO3− explained that the intermixing of aquifer waters and the leaching of secondary salts influenced the region. Evaporation-fractional crystallizations are the main processes in the groundwater of the study area. The irrigation water quality index was calculated using different quality indices including Na%, sodium adsorption ratio, residual sodium bicarbonate (RSBC), permeability index (PI), magnesium hazard (MH), Kelly's ratio (KR), and potential salinity (PS), Cl−:HCO3−, Mg2+:Ca2+ and Na+:Ca2+ to estimate the suitability of groundwater quality for irrigation. Spatial distribution maps were prepared using raster interpolation in GIS. The assessment revealed that the areas covering 67.6% of electrical conductivity, 100% of total dissolved solids, 57.5% of Na%, 21.3% of RSBC, 66.3% of PI, 16.3% of MH, 65% of KR, and, 100% of PS required severe to moderate restrictions. Overall, the groundwater in the study region showed potential salinity due to geogenic and anthropogenic activities, and thus it must be monitored for sustainable agriculture.

Investigating risk, reliability and return period under the influence of large scale modes, and regional hydrological variability in hydrologic extremes

ABSTRACT Due to the present climate change scenario, it is necessary to interpret return period, risk, and reliability of hydrological extremes under non-stationary conditions. The present study aims to understand the crucial design parameters by introducing physically based covariates in the location parameter of the Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) distribution. The analysis is carried out over 30 streamflow gauging stations located across the Godavari River basin, India. To compare the return period, risk and reliability between the stationary and non-stationary conditions, the Expected Waiting Time (EWT) approach is used. The analysis reveals that half of the gauging stations are impacted by large-scale modes/oscillations and regional hydrological variability, primarily by the Indian Summer Monsoon Index (ISMI) and precipitation. The EWT interpretation estimates that the non-stationary return period, risk, and reliability are significantly different from under the stationary condition. Hence, a non-stationary approach can be useful to water managers and policymakers in order to devise sustainable and resilient water resource infrastructure under a climate change scenario.

Exploration of groundwater potential zones using analytical hierarchical process (AHP) approach in the Godavari river basin of Maharashtra in India

Total natural and groundwater resources play the most crucial role in developing ecological, biological and socioeconomic doings. Various parameters like land use, geology, elevation, slope, lineament, lineament density, drainage density and geomorphology affect the groundwater development of recharge and its accessibility. In this research, geographical information system (GIS), remote sensing, weighted overlay analysis and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods have been used for groundwater prospects mapping, and identifying suitable solutions site for soil and water conservation structures. To calculate the weights were assigned to every layers component in the determination of affecting factors. The weighted overlay analysis (WOA) tool is applied to give the sub-parameter ratings based on the scientific literature. The final map of potential groundwater zone map has prepared using Arc GIS 10.1 software and AHP methods. About 49.71% of the areas fall under the 'good potential zone, 41.05% falls under the 'moderate potential zone', and 9.22% falls under the 'poor zone by using AHP technique. Groundwater potential zone map is depend on the weighted overlay analysis and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods. The highest GWP is located in the lower part of the basin due to the best surface runoff gathering, infiltration situations and subsurface storage volume. The present study procedure, methods and outcomes can be valuable to estimate the suitable groundwater zones parallel to improve the dry land area in the semi-arid and arid regions of India.

Evaluation of quantitative precipitation forecast in five Indian river basins

ABSTRACT Quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) obtained from a numerical weather prediction model is used for streamflow forecasting. This study systematically evaluates the performance of a deterministic QPF obtained from a national agency, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), compared with that obtained from three international agencies. For observation/reference datasets, we used satellite, raingauge, and satellite-gauge merged data products. The forecast skill is evaluated for 177 sub-basins in Ganga, Narmada, Mahanadi, Tapti, and Godavari river basins. Our results indicate that the forecast accuracy of NCMRWF is closely comparable with that of QPF obtained from a European agency. We conclude that selecting accurate observation/reference data is critical for forecast performance evaluation. We determine the preferred forecast and reference datasets in the selected river basins. Our results suggest that for estimating the parameters of a post-processor, a comparable dataset can be used for which data are available for a longer duration.