Delineation of Ground Water Potential Zones in Various Mandals of East Godavari District using Remote sensing and GIS Techniques

Integration of remote sensing and GIS techniques provides an excellent tool for the determination of ground water potential in a region. For this purpose, LANSAT-7 (ETM+) satellite data, survey of India toposheet series of 65K/3, 65K/4, 65K/6, 65K/7, 65K/8-12, 65K/10, 65K/11 on 1:50000 scale are used. Ground water potential is computed for relative assessment of ground water potential zones by integration of all the related data that influence the occurrence and movement of ground water in the region using GIS. Based on the analysis of relief map, the slope map of the study area has been derived. The slope map indicated that the entire study area is a vast stretch of rolling plain. Based on the analysis of Geomorphology maps, it is concluded that the geomorphologic characteristics were classified into Pedi plains, pediments, structural hill, flood plain, shallow pediments and the water body mask. Based on the analysis of Geology maps, it is concluded that the geology of study area is Achaean period. Geologically 59% of the area in the district is underline by hard, compact, crystalline rocks of archean age, consisting of Garnitic-ferruginous-silliminite gneisses called “Khondalites� and a small part by Granite. These rocks occupy the Northern part of the District. With an aerial extent of 6406 sq.km, based on the analysis of soil map, it was concluded that the Soil type ranges from fine loamy, loamy and clayey soils. All required map have been prepared and assigned weights according to their importance in the groundwater potential point of view. Based on the concept model analysis concluded that the identified the GWPZ. The GWPZ classified in to (i) excellent (ii) very good (iii) good (iv) moderate (v) Poor to moderate and (vi) poor to nil potential zones.