Hydrological assessment of mountainous Mhadei River water shed - Western Ghat Region

Abstract

Groundwater domains are often governed by the topographic configuration of a region in hilly areas. Thus, boundaries of river watersheds invariably coincide with that of groundwater domains. The present study comprises of groundwater assessment of an interstate river basin falling in Goa and Karnataka states located along the West coast of India. An attempt has been made to understand the groundwater occurrence, distribution and flow pattern in the Mhadei River mountainous watershed. An observation well network was established to monitor groundwater fluctuations in the lateritic aquifer of the Mhadei watershed. Pumping tests were carried out to estimate aquifer parameters like transmissivity, specific yield and specific capacity. The aquifer recharge has been estimated using rainfall infiltration method and water table fluctuation method. Well hydrograph analysis has been used to identify groundwater potential zones in the watershed.