Present study was carried out to delineate groundwater prospect zones and identification of artificial recharge sites using Indian remote sensing satellite (IRS) 1D PAN geocoded data on 1:12,500 scale and Survey of India (SOI) topographical sheets. The information based on lithology, geomorphology, soil, land-use/ land-cover, structures/lineament, slope, drainage and hydrology were generated and integrated to prepare groundwater prospect and artificial recharge site map of the study area. Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to prepare database in the above layers, analysis of relationship and integrated map preparation. On the bases of hydrology and geomorphic characteristics, five categories on groundwater prospect zones are identified: Excellent, good, moderate poor and very poor. The analysis reveals that the river terraces and water bodies with alluvium has excellent (about 15% area), buried pediplain with black cotton soil have good potential (about 24% areas). These unite has highly favorable for ground water exploration and development. Deeply buried pediment with black cotton soil are marked under moderate ground water prospect zones (about 26% area), shallow buried pediment with Deccan basalt and dykes are grouped under poor ground water prospect zones (about 24% area), except along the fractures/lineaments. Residual hills, dykes, linear ridges and plateau, are group have very poor groundwater prospects (about 11% area). Fourartificial recharge sites ware identify out of witch the moderate and poor categories occupy more than 42% area and these are mainly plateau, ridges and buried pediment shallow. The most suitable artificial recharge sites occupy less area about 19% and mainly confined to buried pediplain and river terraces. The residual hill and linear ridge with steep slope (covering about 39% areas) have not suitable for artificial recharge sites. This vital information could be used effectively for identification of suitable location for groundwater potential and artificial recharged sites. The good interrelationship was found among the geological units, hydromorphological units and lineament density. The field data have further helped in quantifying various lithological and hydromorphological units with reference to their potential for groundwater occurrence....
Authors: Jyoti sarup, Manish K. Tiwari, Vardichand Khatediya.