Abstract:
Groundwater utilization in Nadia district, West Bengal has been subjected to rapid exploitation in the wake of
increasing urbanization and production of agricultural commodities. It is, therefore, necessary to evaluate the existing
trend and availability of groundwater in time and space and its movement for proper planning in future. In the present
study, an attempt has been made develop a groundwater management model using Visual MODFLOW software. The
groundwater flow model for the study area was formulated by using input hydrogeological data and appropriate boundary
conditions. The groundwater flow pattern of the study area indicates the occurrence of base flow which feed both the
Rivers Bhagirathi and Jalangi throughout the year. The computed hydraulic heads were calibrated by comparing with
observed groundwater level data for years 2004 to 2006 and were verified with the data of 2007. The outcome of
modeling shows that this model can be used for prediction purpose in the future by updating input boundary conditions
and hydrologic stresses during the preceding year. The model optimized unit draft for deep tube well as 556.5 m3/day
and the same for shallow tube well as 41 m3/day keeping the existing tube well structures in running condition and
maintaining the present and recent past trends of groundwater level. The model can be further improved if more spatial
and temporal input parameters are available and can be incorporated into the model for more realistic characterization of
groundwater flow.
