Groundwater potential mapping using integrations of remote sensing and analytical hierarchy process methods in Ataye-watershed, Middle Awash Basin, Ethiopia

People rely on groundwater in many parts of the world for different purposes. It has a vital role in world economic development. However, this natural resource is hidden under the ground and unevenly distributed throughout the subsurface of the earth’s crust. Due to this reason, groundwater potential zone assessment is technologically challenged. However, remote sensing technology provides effective approaches using influential multi-criteria factors for groundwater resources. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate potential groundwater zones in Ataye Watershed using an integration of remote sensing and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methods. The most influential factors for groundwater availability, such as geological lineament density, drainage density, soil texture, slope angle, land use/land cover (LULC), lithology, rainfall, and geomorphology, were evaluated to assess potential groundwater zones of Ataye Watershed. The result of this study shows that very low GWPZ (groundwater potential zones) covers 20.217 km² (13.5%), low GWPZ 34km² (22.979%), medium GWPZ 35.121km² (23.74%), high GWPZ 32.313km² (21.84%) and very high GWPZ 26.6 km² (17.979%). Hence, most of the study areas are potentially feasible. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the accuracy of the present model. A receiver operating characteristic is widely used to evaluate the accuracy of potential groundwater zone assessment. The results of this study indicate that the methods utilized exhibit a good level of accuracy (AUC = 70.8%) when identifying potential groundwater zones. Ataye watershed’s development authorities may use the findings of this study to ensure that a watershed is properly managed.