Water Level Fluctuation as the Sum of Environmental and Anthropogenic Activities in Southeast, Punjab (India)

Abstract

In the present paper, the water levels data versus time plots for pre-monsoon and post-monsoon seasons over a period of 8 years 2006 to 2013 show a progressive decline at all the 13 observation points. During the 8 years (2006- 13), out of the total 13 blocks, groundwater level in 8 blocks declined during post-monsoon season and groundwater level increased in 4 blocks and no fluctuation was observed in 1 block. The maximum decline of -1.52 m was observed in Bhunerheri block of Patiala and the minimum decline of -0.09 m observed in Firozepur block. The groundwater level showed a maximum increase of 0.91 m in Mamdot block. In Patiala district, the depth of water level is very high in comparison to the other districts. A strong positive correlation existed between groundwater levels in all the blocks of Patiala to groundwater levels in Kotkapura and moderate to good positive correlation with the groundwater levels in Firozepur, Guruharsarai and Pakhowal because of the extensive and laterally continuous aquifer in these blocks. However, the declines are not very sharp at Faridkot and Machivara stations because there is a gain of subsurface recharge through canal seepages in the areas where these observation wells are located.