A GIS-based methodology to delineate potential areas for groundwater development: a case study from Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Abstract

For an effective planning of activities aimed at recovering aquifer depletion and maintaining health of groundwater ecosystem, estimates of spatial distribution in groundwater storage volume would be useful. The estimated volume, if analyzed together with other hydrogeologic characteristics, may help delineate potential areas for groundwater development. This study proposes a GIS-based ARC model to delineate potential areas for groundwater development; where 'A' stands for groundwater availability, 'R' for groundwater release potential of soil matrix, and 'C' for cost for groundwater development. The model is illustrated with a case of the Kathmandu Valley in Central Nepal, where active discussions are going on to develop and implement groundwater management strategies. The study results show that shallow aquifers have high groundwater storage potential (compared to the deep) and favorable areas for groundwater development are concentrated at some particular areas in shallow and deep aquifers. The distribution of groundwater storage and potential areas for groundwater development are then mapped using GIS.

Modeling of groundwater productivity in northeastern Wasit Governorate, Iraq using frequency ratio and Shannon’s entropy models

“…From a hydrogeological exploration point of view, this term may be defined as the possibility of groundwater occurrence in an area. The methodology proposed in the literature (Chi and Lee 1994;Krishanmurthy and Srinivas 1995;Kamaraju et al 1995;Krishnamurthy et al 1996;Sander et al 1996;Edet et al 1998;Saraf andChoudhury 1998, Shahid et al 2000;Jaiswal et al 2003;Rao and Jugran 2003;Sikdar et al 2004;Sener et al 2005;Ravi Shankar and Mohan 2006;Solomon and Quiel 2006;Madrucci et al 2008;Ganapuram et al 2009;Suja Rose and Krishnan 2009;Pradeep Kumar et al 2010;Chowdhury et al 2010;Jha et al 2010;Machiwal et al 2010;Dar et al 2010;Manap et al 2011;Khodaei and Nassery 2011;Sahu and Sikdar 2011;Abdalla 2012;Pandey et al 2013;and Gumma and Pavelic 2013; Al-Abadi and Al-Shamma'a 2014; Rahmati et al 2014;Chen et al 2014) to delineate groundwater potential zones of an area is attained through integrating several thematic layers (maps) from different resources such as conventional, geophysical, and remote sensing data to generate groundwater productivity index (GWPI). Usually, the GWPI is computed using the weighted linear combination technique (Malczewski 1999)…”

If a Magnitude ~8 Earthquake Occurs in India Today…….

“…Another important factor is the continuous lowering of the ground water table across Nepal (Gautam and Prajapati, 2014;Pandey et al, 2012). In a very recent report (The Kathmandu Post, 8 February 2023), it is mentioned that earlier ground water could be reached during the monsoon at depths of 20 to 25 feet, however now it is available at 150 feet.…”

Mapping of groundwater spring potential zone using geospatial techniques in the Central Nepal Himalayas: A case example of Melamchi–Larke area

“…Such activities are mainly concentrated in Tarai or Kathmandu valley using field survey (Pandey et al 2010; http:// www.gwrdb.gov.np/publications.php). Some studies using GIS and RS have assessed the groundwater potential in Kathmandu valley using GIS and RS (Pathak et al 2009;Pandey et al 2013). Reviewing the methods from the above studies applied to groundwater potential mapping, the current study will use GIS-based statistical model, i.e., 'Weight of Evidence' by assessing the association of the occurrence of the groundwater springs with in situ parameters that influence groundwater in the High Mountain Region of Central Nepal.…”