IDENTIFICATION OF GROUND WATER RECHARGE POTENTIAL ZONE FOR WATERSHED USING GIS AND REMOTE SENSING

This study is aimed to identify the groundwater recharge potential zones, to be used for better and improved groundwater resources. The thematic layers considered in this study are geomorphology, soil, land use-land cover, slope (%), lithology and lineament, which are prepared using satellite imagery and other conventional data. Each hydro-geomorphic unit is evaluated for its recharge potential and suitably a map showing such groundwater recharge potential zones for appropriate recharge is prepared. The thematic layers are first digitized from satellite imagery, supported by ancillary data such as topo-sheets and field investigation data, finally all thematic layers were generated. Using ArcGIS software the groundwater recharge potential zones for the study area are identified and maps are generated showing groundwater recharge potential zones namely ‘least suitable', ‘moderately suitable' and ‘most suitable' on knowledge based on weighted factors.