Groundwater potential zone mapping of Hoshangabad and Budhni industrial area, Madhya Pradesh, India

Hoshangabad and Budhni industrial area is sub-humid part of the Narmada river basin, Madhya Pradesh, India. In the area, irrigation, domestic and industrial water supply relies on the available groundwater resources. The regular withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation, domestic and industrial use has results in lowering of groundwater table in the area. To overcome this problem potential recharge zones of groundwater were delineated in the area by applying remote sensing and GIS approach supported by field observations. GIS technology has been used to analyze and integrate various groundwater-controlling factors viz; Geology, Geomorphology, Lineaments, Topography, Soil, Drainage density and Land use/Land cover. Weightage to each parameter was assigned based on the hydrological characteristics of the observed parameter. Groundwater Potential Index (GPI) of the area has been calculated, by integration of the various thematic layers by Weighted Overlay Analysis (WOA) method in ArcGIS. The results demonstrated that about (3.58 km2) of the area is designated as excellent groundwater potential zone, whereas, good, moderate, low and poor groundwater potential zone covers (51.18 km2); (117.36 km2); (38.59 km2) and (6.66 km2) area respectively. The study reveals most effective groundwater potential zone lies in southernmost part of the area characterized by alluvium formations with gentle slope. Low and poor groundwater potential zone is present in the northernmost part characterized by steep slope, impervious rocks and high drainage density. Further, the results were validated by overlay the well inventory data of observation wells in the delineated potential recharge zones using GPS locations. The study has proved uneven distribution of these groundwater potential zones is controlled by the observed parameters. The study will be help in development and management of groundwater resources by enhancing the recharge practices, especially in poor and low groundwater potential zone.