Delineation of groundwater & recharge prospect zones using geospatial technology in the Pichipadu Vanka watershed, Kadapa, A.P., India

Abstract

The present study aims to identify groundwater & recharge prospect zones in the Pichipadu vanka watershed using geospatial technology. This technology is in spatial and non-spatial data analysis, providing real-world information about spatial and temporal variations. In this study, integration of various thematic layers, including Base maps, Geology, Drainage, Geomorphology, and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), were used to generate a groundwater & recharge prospect zone. This approach facilitates effective groundwater management, which is crucial for sustainable water resources in semi-arid regions. The study area was categorized into three zones - good, moderate, and poor groundwater prospects-based on geological and hydrogeological characteristics. Key findings reveal significant areas categorized as good groundwater prospects, such as Water Bodies (6.84 sq. km) and Buried Pediplain Under Canal Command (34.34 sq. km.), alongside moderate prospects including Pediplain Shallow Weathered (16.60 sq. km.) and Piedmont Slope (9.22 sq. km.). Conversely, regions like Structural Hills (75.07 sq. km) exhibit poor groundwater prospects due to geological complexities. A total of eighteen artificial recharge sites are delineate among them eleven percolation tanks and seven check dam sites. These findings are crucial for sustainable water resource planning and management. Future research may enhance these results by incorporating detailed hydrogeological investigations.