Application of remote sensing and GIS for identification of potential ground water recharge sites in Semi-arid regions of Hard-rock terrain, in north Karnataka, South India

Hydro-geomorphological characteristics, together with soil, slope, lineament density and Land use Land cover are signatures of potential ground water recharge areas, and are vital for water harvesting. In the present paper, Fifth order sub-basins in Semi-arid regions of the Varada River basin in South India is studied for selection of suitable area for recharge and prioritize the sub-basins using Indian Remote Sensing satellite (IRS) P6; Linear Imaging Self Scanning Sensor (LISS III) and ArcGIS 9.2. The Fifth order sub-basins of the Varada River spread in Hard-rock terrain and of different agro-climatic zones. The study shows that there are significant spatial variations in the fifth order basins with respect to their morphometric characteristics such as the basin area, drainage density, bifurcation ratio, and circularity ratio, constant of channel maintenance and slope of the basin. These variations reflect the differences in the hydrological process in the different Sub-basins. Based on the variations in the linear, aerial, relief as well as the slope, lineament density, and precipitation pattern rankings are assigned for each parameter with respect to ground water recharge within the Subbasins. Weighted sum overlay for precipitation, Land use, soil and Water table fluctuation are used to select the suitable areas of recharge within the sub-basins. Buffers created for lineaments and drainage networks were intersected with the suitable area of recharge for the probable tank's locations for recharge. The tank locations identified after intersection and having higher stream orders are further filtered for the identification of potential sites for ground water recharge. In the prioritized sub-basins SB-8, SB-10, SB-11 locations have been selected for recharge.