Water resource evaluation and management for Morar River Basin

e-Journal Earth Science India Vol.2 (III), July, 2009, pp. 174 - 186

http://www.earthscienceindia.info/ ; ISSN: 0974 - 8350

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Water resource evaluation and management for

Morar River Basin, Gwalior district,

Madhya Pradesh, Using GIS

P.K.Singh 1 and U.C.Singh2

1 Center for Remote Sensing and GIS,

Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal -462007 (M.P) 2 Schools of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji University, Gwalior-474011, (M.P)

Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Abstract

Assessment of groundwater prospects has been carried out for the Morar river

basin in Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh. Groundwater prospect of the basin has been

delineated from the satellite data by the integration of geology, geomorphology,

lineament and slope and classified as Excellent to poor groundwater potential zones

using GIS. The results obtained from remotely sensed data cross checked with the bore

well yield data and found in good agreement. This depicts the positive prospective zones

in the study area for exploration of groundwater in future.

Water level fluctuation map prepared from the pre- and post-monsoon water

level data do not show any significant change except at some locations in alluvial area

Net groundwater availability also calculated is about 63.634 MCM. The calculated annual

draft of Groundwater from dug wells and tube wells for all users is 70.051 MCM revealing a deficit in groundwater storage in the Basin.

Introduction

Rapid industrial development, urbanization and increase in agricultural production

have led to freshwater shortages in many parts of the world. In view of increasing demands

of water for various purposes like agricultural, domestic and industrial, a greater emphasis

is being laid for a planned and optimal utilization of water resources. On other hand,

continuous withdrawals from a groundwater reservoir in excess of replenishable recharge

may result in lowering of water table. There is an uregent need of planned and optimal

development of water resources. An appropriate strategy is required to develop water

resources with planning based on conjunctive use of surface and subsurface water

resources.

In recent time many workers such as Raghuvansi et al., 2008; Prasad et al., 2008;

Rokade et al., 2007; Jha et al., 2007 ; Leblanc et al., 2007; Saraf et al., 2004 and

Teeuw,1995 used GIS for evaluation and management of groundwater resources of the

various terrains. One of the greatest advantages of using remote sensing data for

groundwater investigation and monitoring is its ability to generate information in spatial and

temporal domain, which is very crucial for successful analysis, prediction and validation

(Jaiswal et al., 2003; Murthy, 2000; Saraf and Choudhuray, 1998; Krishnamurthy et al.,

1996).

The Morar River, a tributary of the Vaisali River, flows northerly in the study area.

Agriculture is the main source of livelyhood of the people living in rural area which gets

irrigation mainly through surface water and groundwater (through tubewells). The

development of groundwater resource in the study area is quite poor. Results of

Water resource evaluation and management for Morar River Basin, Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh, Using GIS: P.K.Singh and U.C.Singh

groundwater explorations indicate that there is enough scope for groundwater development

through suitable abstraction structures. In order to maximize agricultural production and

overall improvement of socio-economic conditions of the people, there is a need for optimal

utilization of groundwater resource of the study area. In view of these objectives, available

hydrogeological data generated / procured from all sources during the present study have

been compiled and assessment of groundwater resource of the area has been attempted.

Data Used and Methodology

In the present study IRS –IC LISS III and PAN data were used and they are

geometrically rectified and registered with SOI toposheet maps on 1:50,000 scale using

ERDAS IMAGINE 8.7 image processing software. Various thematic layers viz. geology,

geomorphology, lineament were generated on the basis of their image characteristic and by

applying digital image processing techniques. Geographical Information System (ARC GIS

9.0) has been used for digitization, editing and topology creation. Spatial Analysis tool of

ARC GIS software used for Integration of thematic layers and delineation of groundwater

potential zones. The details of data used in present study shown in (Table-1).

Well inventory has been carried out for the generation of water level fluctuation map

within the basin. Water balance estimation techniques have been extensively used to make

quantitative estimates of ground water resources within the basin.

Table-1: Details of the data used in Present Study

General features of the study area

The Morar River Basin lying between the latitudes 260 5’ -260 25’ N and longitudes

78010’-780 25’ E and covering an area around 405 sq. km. in Gwalior district of Madhya

Pradesh has been selected for the present study (Fig.1).

The area experiences a semi-arid climate marked by extreme temperature and

variable of rainfall. It can be noticed from the annual rainfall data that the pattern of rainfall

is erratic. Maximum rainfall of 1128 mm. was during 1982 and minimum of 443mm. in the

year 2006. The rainfall generally increases from north to south.

Type of Data Details Source

IRS – ID LISS III and

PAN Digital data

Path / Row : 97 /53 National Remote

Sensing Agency

(NRSA), Hyderabad

Survey of India

(SOI)Toposheets,

54 J/3 , J/, J/7 and J/8 Survey of India,

Dehradun

Geological Quadrangle

Map

Scale : 1,250,000 Geological Survey of

India , Hyderabad

Yield Data / Well

Inventory data

Water Level Data Field Survey



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Fig. 1: Location map of study area

Drainage:

The drainage pattern of the basin has provided quantitative description of basin

geometry, which helps to understand initial slope of inequality in rock hardness. The basin is

characterized by dendritic type of drainage pattern with varying density (Fig. 2). The high

density found on the hard sandstone and shales. The total length of the basin is 479 km.

and perimeter of the basin is 121.27 km. The Morar river basin is a 6th order basin with a

drainage area of 405 sq. km (Table-2). The morphometric analysis carried out has revealed

that the drainage density of the basin is 1. 18 km. this suggests that the area has highly

permeable soil.

Table-2: Morphometric analysis of Morar river basin

Morar

River

Basin

Strea

m

Order

(w)

No. of

Stream

s

(Nu)

Bifurcatio

n

Ratio

(Rb)

Bifurcatio

n ratio

mean

Total

length

of

stream

s in km

Mean

length

of the

Stream

s

in km.

Draina

ge

Densit

y

I 501 303.49

II 206 2.43 89

III 42 4.90 3.72 29.06 0.628 1.18

IV 11 3.81 8.88

V 2 5.5 9.41

VI 1 2 39.50


Fig. 2: Drainage Map of the Morar Basin

Fig. 3: Geological and lineament map of the

basin

Geology:

Geologically, the Morar basin is characterized the Gwalior Group of rocks resting

unconformably over Bundelkhand granite and comprise of basal arenaceous Par Formation

overlain by Morar Formation consisting of ferruginous shale with bands of chert, jasper and

limestone (Fig.3).

Lineaments:

Number of research is carried out by interpreting lineaments from satellite data for

groundwater prospecting and exploration (Koch and Mather, 1997; Khan and Mohrana,

2002). Delineation of lineament has been made through the use of IRS-1D satellite data

alongwith geological map. The IRS 1D WiFS images of February, 22, 2003, because of their

wider swath and coarser resolutions, were first taken up to identify the regional scale

lineaments of the area. The histogram-equalization images were taken and lineaments were

identified visually on the basis of textural and tonal variations. Two major systems of joints

striking between NW-SE and NE- SW were observed in granitic rocks of the area. Most of

the lineaments are accentuated into clusters including high and medium lineaments density

zones in the northwestern, northeastern and southeastern parts of the basin. However,

some small clusters of medium lineament density zones are also found in south-central and

southwestern marginal parts as well as along the southeastern boundary of the basin.



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Geomorphology and Slope:

On the basis of interpretation of satellite image, various hydrogeomorphological

features within the basin have been identified. On the basis of lithology, topography and

drainage, It is found that the study area comprises of different hydrogeomorphic units such

as alluvial plain, valley fills, pediplains, buried pedipain, pedimonts and residual hills (Fig.

4).

Slope map was prepared from SRTM data. Most of the area have flat topography,

accept the southern part, which is as hilly terrain having steep slope. Finally slope map was

prepared using ARC GIS software and the entire area is classified into four groups as very

gentle slope (00 – 30), gentle slope (30 – 100), moderately steep (100 – 200) and very steep

(> 250). A high slopeing region causes more runoff and less infiltration and thus has poor

groundwater prospects compared to the low slope region (Fig. 5).

Fig. 4: Geomorphological map of the Basin

Fig. 5: Slope Map of the Basin


Groundwater Prospect Map

As discussed in earlier sections, each thematic map as geology, geomorphology,

lineaments and slope gives clue for the conditions of the occurrence of groundwater. In

order to obtain final groundwater potential picture of the area, it is essential to integrate

these layers in GIS. Each thematic map has weightage criteria depending on its strength of

influence / contribution towards the groundwater reserve (Table-3).

GIS integration is done taking two layers at a time and overlaying them to intersect

and thus a new layer is obtained. The new layer is integrated with next layer from the

remaining thematic maps. All the four layers were integrated in this manner. Once the

layers are integrated, all the weightage of intersected layers were summed up to get the

Groundwater Potential Zone of the area. Finally GWPZ map was prepared (Fig. 6) showing

poor to excellent groundwater potential zones of the area.

Table- 3: Characterization criteria of maps

Validity Test

In order to make the classification more realistic, the groundwater prospect map

(Fig. 6) was verified with yield data to check the validity of the study. The validity of the

work was checked against the bore well yield data which reflects the groundwater potential

are in agreement with the bore well yield data. Yield of drilled sites occurred in this model

have ranges from 2500 to 3500 lph in the excellent groundwater potential zone, 800 to 900

lph in good groundwater potential zone, 600 to 700 lph in moderate and 300 to 400 lph in

poor groundwater potential zones.

S.No. Thematic Map Basis of Characterization

1. Geology Rock type and their water holding

characteristics

2. Lineament Present / Absent

3. Geomorphology Type and their Aerial extent.

4. Slope Slope Percentage



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Fig. 6: Groundwater potential zones of the basin

Groundwater assessment

An appropriate strategy will be required to develop water resources with planning

based on conjunctive use of surface water resources and subsurface groundwater resources.

The development of groundwater resource in the study area is quite poor. Results of

groundwater explorations indicate that there is enough scope for groundwater development

through suitable abstraction structures. In order to maximize agricultural production and

overall improvement of socio-economic conditions of the people, there is a need for optimal

utilization of groundwater resource of the basin.

The Agricultural and domestic needs of groundwater in the study area are met

mainly from the monsoonal and non-monsoonal rainfall, which has significant contribution.

The data on the status of the water level has been analysed to understand the hydraulic

characteristics of the area .The depth to groundwater level maps were prepared from the

well inventory data obtained for both Pre-monsoon and Post-monsoon periods (Fig.7 a & b).


Pre- and Post-monsoon water level were utilized to prepare the water level maps for

respective season using extension tool of ARC GIS software.

It is observed that during pre-monsoon period water level varied from 2.75 to 15.10

m. with the highest value in the northeastern part while the lowest in the southern part.

During post-monsoon period, the depth of water level varied from a minimum 1.80 m to a

maximum of 9.60 m. with the highest value in the northeastern part, and the lowest value

in the southern part of the area.

The water level fluctuation during pre- and post-monsoon periods result shows

similar trend as observed in water levels of pre- and post-monsoons. The highest value of

fluctuation has been found in northwestern part (5.70 m) at Lehchura village, and the

lowest value (0.5 m) in the central part of the basin. The analysis reveals that the

movement of ground water is towards the Morar river basin. The closely spaced water level

contours reveal that the area has less permeability and high gradient as found in the

northeastern part of the watershed. As such, they are having enough potential for

groundwater prospecting purposes. The widely spaced contours indicate that the area

possesses high infiltration rate and less runoff. Most of the northwestern part shows this

type of pattern and is found suitable for groundwater exploration, development and storage

purposes. It is also verified by the very low drainage density. In the southern part of the

watershed, it has been observed that most of the wells remain dry in both pre-monsoon and

post-monsoon seasons. It is also found that the maximum fluctuation is found in the alluvial

formation.

Annual Groundwater Draft

The groundwater draft of the basin has been calculated from the water level related

data collected from the state agencies and during the field survey. Annual draft comes in

terms of water extracted from subsurface. Dug wells and tube wells are the sources of

discharge of water from the sub-surface. The calculated annual draft of groundwater from

DW and TW for all users are 70.051 MCM in the basin.

Net Groundwater Availability

The unaccounted natural discharge through river and nalas of the area have been

calculated by multiplying the factor 0.05 by total annual recharge (66.974 MCM) and net

groundwater availability for command and non-command area have been calculated by

subtracting the unaccounted natural discharge (3.34 MCM) from annual total groundwater

recharge. The net groundwater availability calculated for the basin is 63.634 MCM.

Water Balance Study

The groundwater balance available for future uses has been worked out by deducing

the net annual groundwater draft from the utilizable groundwater potential. The estimated

utilizable annual groundwater resource is 66.974 MCM whereas the net annual groundwater

draft is calculated as 70.051 MCM, which reveals that there is a deficit in groundwater

storage in the basin.



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Fig. 7 a: Pre-Monsoon Water Level Map of the basin

Fig. 7 b: Post-Monsoon Water Level Map of the basin


Groundwater Development and Management

The management of a groundwater basin implies a programme for development and

utilization of water resources for the benefit of Mankind. The groundwater appraisal for

economic development and planning of water resources of the Morar watershed has been

discussed which reveals that it requires appropriate assessment for the consumption.

In most low rain fall areas of the country, the availability of utilizable surface water is

so low that people have to depend largely on groundwater for agricultural and domestic uses.

Excessive groundwater pumping in the study area, especially in the urban area has resulted in

alarming lowering of groundwater levels. The problem has been further compounded due to

large – scale urbanization and growth of city, which has drastically reduced open lands for

natural recharge. In the study area, there area large variations in ground water availability

from place to place.

Geologically, the area is covered by alluvium, shale and sandstone. Among these

lithounits, alluvium is the main target of the area for groundwater exploration and storage

purposes. It covers most of the northern part of the Morar block with more or less plain area.

Shale is a potential lithounit in the area and because of clayey composition it has very low

infiltration capacity leading to higher rate of runoff. It also covers the southern as well as

central part of the area in the form of residual hills at topographic high. This clayey

composition of the shale of Morar Formation of the area is subjected to very irregular erosion

of the soil due to which it looses it productive capacity. During field survey it is found that in

some pockets there is excess runoff during rainy period. Sandstones are found in the form of

structural hills and they have some potential for groundwater storage.

The water supply in the area is done through the surface water supply system and

tube wells. Tighra reservoir is the main source of water for drinking purpose in the area

managed by Municipal Corporation in urban area and Panchayats in the rural area.

The exploration of groundwater for irrigation purpose has been increased gradually in

the recent years. Almost 46 % of the total area is irrigated by groundwater through tube

wells. The number of tube wells has increased drastically. Thus, the annual growth rate of

tube wells and dug wells have increased upto 54.5 % and 47 % respectively in the Morar

block.

The groundwater development is increasing every year. The number of water

harvesting structures and the area irrigated by groundwater has increased in the successive

years. The development of groundwater can be noticed by visualizing long term water level

trends as observed by decline trends in the non- command area.

The number of water harvesting structures is distributed dividing balance resources

equally for dug wells and tube wells and taking consideration of 100 % development of net

groundwater availability in the block. Therefore, it is suggested that a scientific study at every

five years period is a must to check the impact of groundwater development on groundwater

regime and accordingly number of structures should be modified. By considering these points,

there are many ways to adopt this practice but the structures which are feasible in the study

area are: contour bundings, gully plugs, check dams, percolation tank, recharge shafts, sub-

surface dykes.

Broadly, the area for artificial recharge has been divided into two categories i.e.

overexploited and safe to semi-critical area where long term trends of groundwater level is

declining. It is observed that gully plugs and contour bunds may be constructed on the upper

reaches of streams identified for percolation tanks. Some sites identified for percolation tanks



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do not provide sufficient spread area for them. In those locations, streams are of 5-6 m width

and 3-6m in depth, hence a series of small check dams in the stream course may fulfill the

objective of conservation of groundwater. The farmers use bunds in the area for storing the

water in their fields till October. It is observed that clay beds prevent percolation of water to

the unsaturated zone in the weathered shale and granites. Hence, recharge shaft in this area

may prove good structures for artificial recharge of groundwater. In the alluvial area, the

terrain is flat with very poor drainage density where feasibility of percolation tanks is almost

remote. In this area phreatic aquifer has gone dried and the clay beds do not allow

percolating the water in deeper level, hence recharge shaft is only means to be adopted to

augment the groundwater.

Conclusion

In the present investigation, an attempt has been used to evaluate groundwater

prospect of the basin. GIS approach has been used for the integration of various geospatial

data, which play major role in occurrence and movement of groundwater. The integrated

analysis of various thematic maps in GIS environment has generated four groundwater

potential zones viz. excellent, good, moderate and poor. The groundwater potential zone map

generated through remotely sensed data was verified with the bore wells yields data. This

demonstrates that the approach outlined has merits and can be successfully used in another

place with appropriate modification. Water level fluctuations do not show any significant

change during pre- and post-monsoon except at some locations in alluvial area. Yearly water

level fluctuation show the depletion of water level during successive years. Net groundwater

availability is about 63.634 MCM. The calculated annual draft of Groundwater from dug wells

and tube wells for all users is 70.051 MCM revealing a deficit in groundwater storage in the

basin. The overall results reveal that the area needed the micro level groundwater

investigations which should be based on watershed management applying various

groundwater conservation measures for proper groundwater development and management.

Acknowledgements: The authors are thankful to Head, School of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji

University, Gwalior for providing necessary facilities for the present investigation. The first author

expresses his gratefulness to the Vice Chancellor, Jiwaji University, Gwalior for granting University

Research Fellowship. The authors also acknowledge the unknown reviewers for their critical comments

and suggestions.

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About the Authors

Dr. Prafull Kumar Singh is Lecturer, Center for Remote Sensing and GIS,

Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, (M.P). He carried out

extensive work in the field of Remote Sensing and GIS application in Water

Resources, Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology.

Email: [email protected]

Dr. U.C. Singh is Professor, School of Studies in Earth Science, Jiwaji

University Gwalior, M.P. Prof. Singh has over 40 years research and teaching

experience. He has worked extensively in the field of Igneous Petrology,

Geophysics and Hydrogeology. Prof. Singh has more than 70 Research

Papers in National / International Journal. Email: [email protected]

Water resource evaluation and management for Morar River Basin

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