Application of Groundwater Model for Prediction of Waterlogged Areas - A Case Study

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to analyse the impact of canal seepage and groundwater pumping on groundwater fluctuations to predict the waterlogged area in an irrigation command lying between Karwan river and Left Dadupur distributary of Indo-Gangetic plains of western Uttar Pradesh. A modular flow groundwater model MODFLOW with Windows graphical user interface (PMWIN) for this purpose. The spatial variations of predicted groundwater table show that post-monsoon groundwater table level in 1994 has gone up by 2 to 5 m with respect to 1990 post-monsoon levels. At the same time, the spatial variations of observed water table has also gone up by 3 to 5.5 m. Simulation results revealed that as such there is no waterlogged area in the study area as of now. However, pockets in each block, which are classified as critical and potential waterlogged area are on the rise. Results of the simulation also revealed that the groundwater pumping, groundwater recharge from various sources and groundwater outflow from the aquifer are more or less in equilibrium in the head and tail ends of the command area.