Identification of Potential Recharge Zones in Drought Prone Area of Bundelkhand Region, India, Using SCS-CN and MIF Technique Under GIS-frame work

Abstract

Jaspura watershed a part of Yamuna basin is situated in drought prone area lying in the Banda district of Bundelkhand region, Uttar Pradesh, India. The drastic decline of groundwater level and consistently drying up of the phreatic aquifer has led to the acute shortage of groundwater in the study area. The situation is further aggravated due to base flow in the areas adjoining the major order streams. To mitigate such problem in study area, MIF technique, combined with RS and GIS, has been effectively used to delineate the potential recharge zone using seven thematic layers, viz., LULC, soil, slope, drainage density (Dd), geomorphology, depth to water level map of post-monsoon, and groundwater fluctuation map. Relative rates and weight of each influencing factor have been calculated on the basis of major and minor effect of these thematic layers. Based on their influence on groundwater recharge capacity using seven thematic layers under potential zone, five classes under artificial recharge have been identified, viz., very high (96.4 km2), high (157.4 km2), moderate (146.1 km2), low (72.9 km2), and very low (34.2km2). The runoff in 15 micro-watersheds has been estimated using SCS-CN approach. Integration of runoff and potential recharge zone has yielded the suitable sites and type of groundwater recharge structure. On the basis of its percolation tank (PT), check dam (CD) and sub-surface dam (SD) have been identified as feasible and suitable groundwater recharge structure. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.