Journal of Geological Society of India (Online archive from Vol 1 to Vol 78)

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Hydrogeomorphic Classification and Aquifer Disposition in the Markanda River Basin, Northwestern India - Hydrogeological Approach


Affiliations
1 Department of Earth Science, Assam University, Silchar - 788 011, India
2 Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007, India
     

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The regional hydrogeological aspects of the Markanda river basin in the Himalayan foothills, NW India have been attempted. The basin has been hydro-geomorphologically analyzed as ridge, piedmont zone, alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel. Groundwater prospect in the alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel areas were found to be promising. Water table contour maps of the basin revealed that groundwater flows from northeast to southwest. Groundwater permeability is low in the northern part and is high towards the southern part of the basin. The areas of recharge were identified in the northern part of the basin, while the areas of discharge were identified in the central and lower parts of the basin. Hydrogeologic transects across and along the basin indicate that aquifer horizons are made up of fine sand, medium sand and gravelly sand. These aquifer layers are laterally extensive but limited in thickness. They occur as multistoried sand bodies with pinch and swell behavior. The overall study gives an understanding of the present regional hydrogeological scenario of the Markanda basin. Such detailed integrated approach would help to locate productive groundwater areas before installing a new tubewell in the region. Also, it would help in planning future groundwater management of the region.

Keywords

Hydrogeology, Hydrogeomorphic, Water Table, Markanda River, Haryana.
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  • Hydrogeomorphic Classification and Aquifer Disposition in the Markanda River Basin, Northwestern India - Hydrogeological Approach

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Authors

Kshetrimayum Krishnakanta Singh
Department of Earth Science, Assam University, Silchar - 788 011, India
Vishwa Nath Bajpai
Department of Geology, Centre for Advanced Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi - 110 007, India

Abstract


The regional hydrogeological aspects of the Markanda river basin in the Himalayan foothills, NW India have been attempted. The basin has been hydro-geomorphologically analyzed as ridge, piedmont zone, alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel. Groundwater prospect in the alluvial plain, flood plain and palaeochannel areas were found to be promising. Water table contour maps of the basin revealed that groundwater flows from northeast to southwest. Groundwater permeability is low in the northern part and is high towards the southern part of the basin. The areas of recharge were identified in the northern part of the basin, while the areas of discharge were identified in the central and lower parts of the basin. Hydrogeologic transects across and along the basin indicate that aquifer horizons are made up of fine sand, medium sand and gravelly sand. These aquifer layers are laterally extensive but limited in thickness. They occur as multistoried sand bodies with pinch and swell behavior. The overall study gives an understanding of the present regional hydrogeological scenario of the Markanda basin. Such detailed integrated approach would help to locate productive groundwater areas before installing a new tubewell in the region. Also, it would help in planning future groundwater management of the region.

Keywords


Hydrogeology, Hydrogeomorphic, Water Table, Markanda River, Haryana.

References