Regional Groundwater Flow Assessment in a Site Specific Portion of Peshawar Valley In Pakistan

Abstract

A research study was conducted in selected sites of Peshawar for development of ground water mapping by utilization of Resistivity survey with the help of Terrameter SAS 1000/4000 along with 4 electrodes and other accessories for data collection, 20 sites were selected for data collection in various parts of Peshawar where data was collected with standard electrode array of Schlumburger array with 300 m spacing on each side of the instrument. Coordinates and elevation from mean sea level of each site were recorded with global positioning system (GPS).  Arc GIS was utilized for geo referenced map of the study area where the survey points were plotted. Another tool Surfer was utilized for contours development for ground water levels. The analysis of resistivity data were executed with the help of 1X1D software on the basis of which the ground water level were calculated which were also compared with existing water table of the area in surroundings and were in good match. The results indicate that the area has different pattern of ground water flow as the ground water in University Campus was toward Pakistan Forest Institute area as the elevation of ground water was at a depth of 339 m as compare to Works directorate of Agriculture University where the elevation was 334 m while in Malakandhir Farm the direction of flow was toward New Professor Colony Site where elevation of ground water was at a height of 319 m as compare to rest of profiles in the area  which elevation was 323 m with respect to mean sea level for Biotechnology profile 359 m from mean sea level for Veterinary hospital and 351 m for military profile. In Hayatabad the flow pattern was also different as the in Phase 3 the ground water flow was toward Phase 3 civil quarters with an elevation of 339 m form mean sea level which was lower than rest of the site in the area while in Phase 7 the ground water flow was toward Behram Market which was at an elevation of 335 m from mean sea level.  The study indicates that among all the surveyed sites the critical zone with low water table was Hayatabad where further detailed study of ground water exploration along with artificial recharge techniques were recommended to restore the depletion of water table.

Keywords: Terrameter, Schlumberger Electrode Configuration, 1X1D, Ground water flow, Artificial Recharge