Assessment of Groundwater Depth-A Case Study of Sonepat District of Haryana, India

Abstract

Groundwater is a valuable, dynamic, renewable natural resource and one of the most essential in our life. Due to population explosion, demand for groundwater has increased over years. Overexploitation of this resource is threatening our ecosystems and even the life of future generations. The present study aims to assess the groundwater depth from 1993 to 2013 in Sonepat district of Haryana. For this purpose, time series data was obtained from Groundwater Cell, Department of Agriculture, Rohtak. Groundwater depth data of 123 monitoring wells was analyzed for the year 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008 and 2013. Inverse Distance Weight (IDW) method using Arc GIS was applied to obtain suitable results. A decline in average groundwater depth from 6.62 meters below ground level in 1993 to 7.89 meters below ground level in 2013 was reported. The analysis further reveals that the area under normal groundwater depth zone has declined during last twenty years. During the same period, the area under deep and very deep groundwater depth zone has increased. Groundwater prospective zones during successive five years were also compared and critical areas with substantial fall in groundwater levels were identified. A small part covering about 0.42 per cent of district area was identified to be in critical condition. The depletion in this part has exceeded 20 meters in a period of twenty years.