Management of groundwater resources in Punjab, Pakistan, using a groundwater flow model

Ghulam Mujtaba, Zulfiqar Ahmed, Duke Ophori

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10 Scopus citations

Abstract

A numerical groundwater flow model is used to examine future changes in hydraulic heads for improved groundwater management in Upper Bari Doab, Punjab, Pakistan. A finite difference grid of 45 columns by 27 rows is overlaid on the model area of the Upper Bari Doab, with a constant node spacing of 2 miles in X and Ydirections. The boundaries considered were the Ravi and Sutlej rivers and two man-made canals, the BRBD (Bambanwala-Ravi-BedianDipalpur) and the BS (Balloki-Suleimanke) link canals. The boundaries are defined by specified-head nodes with a large value (10E30) of storage factor. Available meteorological, aquifer and to simulate potential fields. The model was calibrated with 1966 water levels for steady state conditions and2004 for transient conditions. The model was then used to simulate the equipotential surface of 2010, which shows an overall fall in groundwater levels up to 35 feet at 1.83 ft/yr in the area. This will eliminate the water logging and salinity problems. Groundwater depletion and pollution may be major problems of the area in the near future.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-14
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of Environmental Hydrology
Volume15
StatePublished - Dec 2007

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