Groundwater resource evaluation in the Gwalior area, India, using satellite data: an integrated geomorphological and geophysical approach

The ever increasing demand for freshwater and overexploitation of existing reserves has necessitated the search for new resources, particularly in hard-rock terrains where groundwater is a vital and sole source for drinking and other activities. A fast and cost effective way of groundwater exploration is the study and analysis of remote sensing data. In the present study, various geomorphic units in the drought-prone and hard-rock-dominated Gwalior area, India, were identified using satellite images and classified into four categories: poor, moderate, good and excellent groundwater prospect zones. The area was scanned through vertical electrical soundings for the corroboration of inferred categories. The borehole yield data corroborate the results. Geomorphological mapping through satellite images, coupled with electrical resistivity surveys, provided vital information about spatial and depth-wise variation of aquifers in the area. Groundwater prospect mapping gives a rational picture of subsurface water resources and is helpful in predictive groundwater resource management.