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Study on Water Table Fluctuation and Recharge Potentiality for Sustainable Ground Water Development in Greater Dinajpur District

A. A. Sarkar
Agricultural Engineering Division, Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture, P. O. Box. 4, Mymensingh-2200, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

An attempt was made to assess the water table (WT) fluctuation pattern and consequently the recharge potentiality of the aquifer for sustainable groundwater development in greater Dinajpur (Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagar) district. Twenty years (1985- 2004) WT data monitored by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) was used in this study. The hydrograph analysis revealed that in Thakurgaon and Panchagar districts, WT declined maximum 6 to 7 m during the peak irrigation period from February to April, which remained within the lifting capacity (<7 m) of suction mode pumps. But at some places in Dinajpur district, WT was found to decline up to 10 m, far below the lifting capacity of suction mode pumps. Apart from this, rainfall was scanty or nil from October to April during the study period. However, sufficient rainfall occurred during the monsoon and WT almost rose to the previous level indicating full replenishment of the aquifer that was pumped during the dry irrigation period. Recharge estimated using the WT fluctuation method also pleaded that the potential recharge capability of the aquifer was refilled during the monsoon. Therefore, the results lead to suggest that the aquifer in Thakurgaon and Panchagar districts is in dynamic equilibrium condition and potential enough, which seems to create no obstacle for further development even with suction mode pumps. But in Dinajpur district, groundwater development with suction mode pumps was found in facing problems due to WT declining beyond its lifting capacity during irrigation period. So, ground water pumping should be reduced for extensive dry season rice irrigation in Dinajpur.

Keywords: Water fluctuation, Development, Irrigation

Location: Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagor

Start Date: 01-01-1985

End Date: 30-06-2004

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water management

Objectives:

i) To see the WT fluctuation trend over the year and year to year,

ii) To estimate the recharge for assessing groundwater availability for present and future development potentialities, particularly for irrigation use,

iii) To categorically define the suitability of water lifting devices.

Methodology:

The study area comprised of the greater Dinajpur (Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagor) district. With the increased groundwater utilization, monitoring of aquifer condition becomes more important and it is done by examining the hydro graphs of observation wells or boreholes. Long- term (1985 - 2004) WT data monitored in observation wells (OW) by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) was used in the study. There were 46, 26 and 24 observation wells in Dinajpur, Thakurgaon and Panchagor district, respectively. Rainfall data was also collected from the Meteorological Department of Bangladesh for Dinajpur district. This was used to identify the recharging period and estimate recharge from rainfall to the aquifer. Recharge potentiality of the aquifer was estimated by WT fluctuation method as explained elsewhere Moreover, this method was reported to be more reliable and authentic compared to other methods because of its easy measuring system of WT fluctuation from water table data. Annual WT fluctuation was determined as the difference between the maximum and minimum WT depth measured twice in a month in the annual cycle. Thus, the studied long- term WT fluctuation pattern over a year and year to year and the estimated recharge status were used to interpret and quantify the yield potentiality of the aquifer for predicting its development strategy.

Source of Information: JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING, THE INSTITUTIONAL OF ENGINEERS, BANGLADESH, Vol. 32 (A), December 2006, pp. 96-102, ISSN 0379–4318

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Twenty years WT data analysis revealed that WT showed declining trend at different thanas of Dinajpur district. Particularly at Kotwali and Parbatipur thana, WT declined up to 10 m, far below the lifting capacity of suction mode pumps (SMP) like STW, HTW, etc. For this, during the irrigation penod (February to April), STWs were reported to not functioning and were deep seated. If the present trend of ground water pumping continues, in near future at Dinajpur district SMPs may not function at all. This may also invite many natural hazards like arsenic problem. However, the depleted aquifer in dry irrigation period was found to replenish fully by the monsoon rainfall. To resist the continuous lowering of WT in irrigation period at Dinajpur district, the extensive monopoly rice cultivation should be reduced and a balanced rice non- rice (the near about diminishing low 'water demanding minor pulse and oil seed crops) cropping pattern should be introduced which will minimize the groundwater use substantially. On the other hand, excellent WT condition was found for potential groundwater development at Thakurgaon and Panchagar districts. However, the above inference should not be considered as a perfect and unique one. Because recharge is a very complex and dynamic process whose accuracy depends on the measurement of a lot of factors that is really a very tough and difficult task. Nevertheless, the obtained information might be a milestone, which may be treated as an indicative and informative one and basis for further breakthrough information. Hence, invariably more verification should be done with more sophisticated methods, like computer based model studies (Finite Element or Finite Difference methods, etc.), field experiential methods (in lysimeters), tracer technique studies, etc. to accurately quantity the valuable groundwater resources of this area for its optimistic use.

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