Identifying the groundwater potential zones using GIS and RS techniques: with special reference to Rambukkana Ddivisional Secretariat Division

Abstract

Groundwater is an important resource that contributes significantly to domestic and industrial purposes. The water demand is increasing due to the depletion of groundwater. Uncontrolled drilling of wells, construction of agricultural wells, and abstraction cause various water-related problems. However, groundwater availability is depleted considerably due to overexploitation, which has led to the collapse of land in some places. The combination of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) to explore groundwater resources is a breakthrough in the field of groundwater research. It helps in the monitoring, conservation, and assessment of groundwater resources. The main objective of this research is to identify the groundwater potential of the study area through the technique of identifying groundwater potential zones using remote sensing and a Geographic Information System. Satellite data and other secondary data sources were used to obtain the slope, geology, geomorphic units, lineament density, and drainage density, which are considered key parameters that can provide accurate information in identifying groundwater potential zones. Identification and mapping of groundwater potential analysis were done using the weighted overlay method in ArcGIS. The study identified water potential zones of poor (7%), moderate (36%), good (40%), and excellent (17%) groundwater potential zones in the Rambukkana area. Additionally, groundwater potential zones based on Village Officer (GN) divisions of the region are analyzed to add strength to the study.