Groundwater Potential Zone Mapping of Lower Omo- Gibe Watershed, Omo-Gibe Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Groundwater accounts for one-third of all freshwater abstractions globally [7]. In many regions of the world where water supplies are limited, groundwater is a crucial natural resource for any economic and social growth [8]. Groundwater supplies are a necessity for all economic activity, both internally and outside. However, a study that combines remote sensing and GIS data can offer a good platform for the converging analysis of massive amounts of data using very advanced cognitive process techniques for groundwater exploration. Nations like Ethiopia are seeing a rise in groundwater demand as a result of the nation's fast urbanization, population growth, and economic development. In the area under examination, groundwater is the most often used resource for agriculture, animal husbandry, and the provision of drinking water. The Lower Omo-Gibe watershed groundwater potential zone mapping will have a significant impact on the sub-basin. Since the Lower Omo-Gibe watershed is the main source of the Omo River, mapping the underground water would improve the nation's groundwater resources' sustainable management. Because of this, the current study is interested in delineating the groundwater potential zones within the study area using remote sensing and GIS technology. Seven determining elements were taken into consideration for the study: slope, landuse landcover, Lineament density, Geology, Elevation, Soil texture, and Drainage density. In order to ensure sustainable management and growth of the resource, groundwater exploration has recently seen a rise in the