Groundwater flow simulation for artificial recharge: a GIS, remote sensing, and MODFLOW integration

Abstract

Groundwater (GW) emerges as a sustainable resource to meet water demand, yet current GW reservoirs fall short of projected population needs. Artificial GW recharge, bolstered by Geographical Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies, stands out as a pivotal solution. Examining Aurangabad district in Maharashtra, India the study uncovers distinct challenges: Aurangabad faces escalating water demand due to population growth, leading to GW over-exploitation. Leveraging hydrogeological parameters, rainfall analysis, and GW availability, the study proposes tailored GW recharge techniques. Utilizing MODFLOW simulation, the study explores diverse recharge rates and existing GW availability, showcasing promising results. Integration of stream augmentation, bladder pillow tank methods, and dug well recharge is examined via GIS and RS techniques. Simulation outcomes project significant GW level increases (11.55–23.70 m) with varying recharge rates, effectively meeting region-specific water demand projections. The findings underscore the imperative of sustainable water management practices and technological advancements in addressing water scarcity crises.