Volume 07,Issue 02

Evaluation of Groundwater Resources Potential using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Remote Sensing Geographic Information System (GIS), a Case Study: Garmsar’s Catchment Basin

Authors

Mojtaba Naseri, Gholam Reza Shobeyri, Ahmad Rajabi, Ali Sadeghpour

Abstract
Iran is currently experiencing serious water-related issues. Frequent droughts combined with over-abstraction of surface and groundwater through a large network of hydraulic infrastructure and deep wells have brought the country’s water situation to a critical level. Symptoms of this condition include drying of lakes, rivers and wetlands, declining groundwater levels, land subsidence, water quality degradation, soil erosion, desertification and dust storms. For example, the agricultural sector of Garmsar and Aradan counties has been damaged due to the lack of a coherent and codified plan, so that now, in addition to the problems of soil erosion and water salinity, farmers’ motivation to work in this productive sector has decreased. Using experts’ views in the field of water engineering and resources, the main factors affecting feeding of the Garmsar groundwater aquifers were identified and each one was classified and evaluated, then using a two-by-two comparison method known as the AHP, each of these factors was weighted and by means of the Arc GIS software, the identified factors were implemented in layers on the digital map of the Garmsar region. The overlap of the obtained layers of each factor in each of the mentioned methods leads to reaching the potential area of the region, i.e. The area where the probability of precipitation is higher and the risk of flooding is lower, and comparing the obtained area with the catchment area indicates the accuracy of the calculations. Now, by identifying the potential groundwater area as well as the flood prone areas, it is possible to propose solutions and suggestions to prevent wastage of water flow or reduce its effects, one of the advantages of which is the filling of groundwater aquifers.

Keyword: Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Geographic Information System (GIS), Groundwater Resources, Crisis Management.

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