ANALYSIS OF GROUNDWATER DEPTH AND MAPPING FOR BARI DOAB

Abstract

Groundwater is the most vital and reliable source of fresh water in all parts of the world. This study examined the variability in depth to water level below ground level in agriculture-dominated Bari Doab in Pakistan. GIS tools and surfer software were used to map the Spatio-temporal distribution of groundwater depth. Change in the depth of the ground water table was observed by preparing maps for both pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons by five-year difference intervals from 2005-2020. The trend of the groundwater table was analyzed by non-parametric methods i.e., Mann-Kendall (MMK) and Sen’s slope estimator in all districts. The trend analysis was performed at a significance level of 5 percent. The fluctuation of the water table in the study area showed a progressive decline in water level over 15 years in all districts except Pattoki and Kot Radha Kishan tehsil of Kasur where a minor increase is observed. The seasonal fluctuation based on pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons during the 15 years (2005-2020) showed that of 26 Tehsils, the average depth to water table increased in 12 tehsils in the post-monsoon season while in 11 tehsils it decreased and in 3 tehsils there was no change. Observation points of groundwater table depth with a 5% significance level were used to project future water table depths in the region that depicts further depleting trend in Bari Doab for both the pre-monsoon and postmonsoon seasons indicating alarming trends in some regions of the Bari Doab.