Impact of Watershed Management on Stream Flow and Build-up Water Storage in Parasai-Sindh Watershed of SAT Region, India

Aims: The study of runoff and base flow estimates and their impact on groundwater status in the semi-arid region of India is typically limited. We are focused on runoff and base flow in the Parasai-Sindh watershed, and impact of rain water harvesting structure on harvesting of stream flow and change ground water status.

Place and Duration of Study: The study site is located in Jhansi district (Bundelkhand region) of Uttar Pradesh and started from 2012 and completed at end of 2013.

Methodology: Total six rainwater harvesting structure (RHS) or checkdams were constructed on the drainage line from ridge to final outlet of watershed. Daily rainfall data was observed with automatic rain gauge during the study period. For discharge estimation, the runoff gauging station was installed at the outlet of watershed. The runoff and base flow of watershed were estimated by subtracting barometric pressure from the stage recoded by Baro and Diver install at outlet to get actual stage of runoff passing over it. The water pressure head of 200 randomly selected open wells were monitored on monthly interval.

Results: The geological area of watershed is 12.46 km2 and it’s main stream is found to be of 4th order. The results indicate that out of 49.2 mm rainfall event, runoff and base flow at outlet of watershed were found as 20.98% and 4.19%, respectively. Whereas, runoff and base flow were recorded 14.12% and 11.18%, respectively against 86.2 mm rainfall. Total runoff and base flow produced from outlet was recorded as 16 and 7%, respectively. The water head pressure of open wells was improved 92.45% after the rainy season as compared to before the rainy season.

Conclusion: The findings of the study are useful and show relationship between rainfall: runoff and estimation of base flow separation from the total discharge at the outlet of watershed. The estimation of volume of runoff which was harvested as surface runoff during rainy season and it's indirectly effected groundwater recharging through construction of RHS in ephemeral drain of Bundelkhand region.