Groundwater Prospect mapping and site suitability of harvesting structures in part of Koel River basin, Jharkhand, INDIA using (AHP) Geospatial Technologies

Alarming water scenario now a day’s focus to enhance study based on water conservation and its management. This study demonstrates the groundwater prospects mapping in the South Koel river basin, with 7,261 km² in total area and includes 82 sub-watersheds over undulating terrain. Sentinel-2 high resolution optical satellite data, 12.5 meter resolution digital elevation model (ASTER DEM) data, survey of India1:50,000 scale toposheet, soil data from national bureau of soil science (NBSS), geology and geomorphology data from Jharkhand space application center (JSAC) have been used to in this research. The weights for each parameter were determined using pairwise comparison decision theory and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). The delineated Ground water potential zone (GWPZ) were categorized into five classes viz., excellent to very good (6.92%), very good to good (41.36%), good to moderate (17.84%), moderate to poor (21.06%), and poor to very poor (13.18%). Based on study the part of Ranchi, Gumla and Chakradharpur were more prone to water scarcity and need management. Good water prospects are primarily found along valley fills, lineaments, and in pediment areas. Delineation of surface water harvesting structures with 55 check dams, 102 nala bunds, and 76 farm ponds at specific sites in various sub-watersheds would effectively reduce damaging runoff and intensive soil erosion demonstrating effective use of geospatial technology in land-water management practices in plateau terrain.