Estimation of Probable Groundwater Recharge Under Semi-arid Agro Climatic Conditions of Raichur Region

摘要

Explosion in population, has led to increase in demand of various natural resources i.e. water, especially for agricultural purposes. Over exploitation of water affects the ecology of the region and affects the sustainability. Thus, a judicious use ofwater in semi-arid and rural areas is must. Even though India has good average annual precipitation, but its poor distribution in space and time has lead to the scarcity of groundwater. Thus an attempt has been made to study the probable groundwater recharge for agricultural utilization in the Patapur micro-watershed, which is located in semi-arid region ofRaichur district. For the investigation rainfall, runoff and peak discharge of the micro-watershed were estimated and it was found to be about 211 mm, 85, 6, 95.00 (cum) and 793.07 (cum/min) respectively. Total crop evapotranspiration (ETc in mm) values at different stages of crop development were also estimated, it was found about 2, 6, 06.77 mm. Available moisture holding capacity of clay loam was35.28 cm and sandy clay loam was 19 cm. Estimated recharge quantity in area of clay loam soils was found to be about 90.43 mm or 265601.94 m~3- in area of sandy clay loam soils it was found to be about 100.41mm or 248695.5 m~3.The total estimated recharge quantity in the micro-watershed was about 514297.4 m~3or 94.99 mm. From the investigation it was concluded that the groundwater availability was good and even though it was suggested to construct the groundwater recharge structures (check dams, nala bunding, form ponds etc.) for storage of this precious resource.