Abstract
The main objective of this study was to develop a procedure to evaluate various recharge components of a groundwater reservoir to estimate the long term average seasonal groundwater recharge in Rechna doab in the Punjab province of Pakistan. A regional lumped water balance model for the Rechna doab was developed and applied to estimate the long term a seasonal recharge to groundwater reservoir. For comparison, recharge was also estimated by a specific yield method from observed groundwater levels. A water balance study was conducted on seasonal basis (6 months) for a period of 31 years (1960-1990). Recharge estimated by the two methods was found to be in good agreement. The average value of net groundwater recharge during Kharif (April-September) season was found to be some 60 mm. No recharge occurred during Rabi (October-March), rather there was a depletion of the groundwater reservoir during the winter months. Long term average annual depletion of a groundwater reservoir was found to be greater than corresponding value of annual recharge. It was concluded that on a regional basis the groundwater reservoir was being depleted resulting in an average groundwater table of Rechna doab about 2.3 m fall over the 1960-1990 period.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 297-317 |
| Number of pages | 21 |
| Journal | Irrigation and Drainage Systems |
| Volume | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - 1996 |
