MODEL ASSISTED GROUNDWATER ASSESSMENT OF GHAGGAR YAMUNA DOAB

Abstract

The ground water is the vital source for meeting the increasing water requirements of mankind. The sustainable development of ground water resources requires a precise quantitative assessment based on reasonably valid scientific principles. The utilizable part of recharge is mostly estimated empirically. This approach does not account for the dynamics of subsurface flow. A more rational approach for estimation of the permissible pumpage is to model the aquifer response to various trial pumping patterns and to arrive at a technically and socio-economically feasible and optimal pumping pattern. The present study involves aquifer response modeling of Ghaggar-Yamuna doab. The study incorporates parameterization of the aquifer recharge. This is followed by estimation of recharge as well as the aquifer parameters through model calibration The estimated recharge parameters permit assimilation of the total vertical recharge in the model computations. The calibrated model has been employed to project a long term aquifer response to the prevalent pumping pattern. It has been found that the aquifer is likely to be severely dewatered if the prevalent pumping pattern is sustained. This calls for reduction in pumpage or/and enhancement of recharge. The model was employed to project the actuii'er response to ,.9 sequentially reducing levels of pumpage. The study reveals that the declining trend of water table may be eliminated if pumping pattern is reduced to half of the prevalent levels.