Evaluation of Groundwater Resources Using Remote Sensing and Gis Techniques Within Kwara State University, Malete, Nigeria

This study combined remote sensing and GIS techniques to evaluate the groundwater potential zones at Kwara State University (KWASU) by assessing groundwater resources using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). This involved integrating and overlaying thematic layers through the weight overlay analysis tool to assign weights and rank these layers based on their characteristics or influence on groundwater potential and recharge within the institution. The thematic layers used included rainfall, land use/land cover, slope, elevation, drainage network, drainage density, lineament, and lineament density, all significantly impacting groundwater distribution. The results revealed that Kwara State University is situated in an area with higher rainfall of approximately 1430 mm, a flat-gentle slope gradient, and an elevation of less than 300 m, with land use/land cover comprising crops, trees, and rangeland, alongside a dendritic drainage network pattern, very good to good drainage density, and low lineament density. The Analytical Hierarchy Process evaluated and categorised Kwara State University as an excellent to good groundwater potential zone, indicating that the delineation of groundwater resources is reliable. This study provides insights for future groundwater management planning and further recommends fieldwork studies to achieve detailed groundwater potential mapping within Kwara State University.