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Ranking the Suitability of Sub-watersheds for Ponding-Based Methods of Managed Aquifer
Recharge in Lower Yom River Basin, Thailand




Author(s)

Kriengsak Srisuk, Sumrit Chusanatus, Sitisak Munyou, Laa Archwichai, Kewaree Pholkern and Penlada Boonsongka

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DOI:10.17265/2328-2193/2014.03.003

The study area is located in the Lower Yom River Basin covering an area of about 970 km² in the lower part of Northern Thailand, which is underlain by sequences of unconsolidated alluvial deposits derived from the Yom and Nan River floodplains. Groundwater has been heavily exploited largely for agriculture from the shallow gravel, sand and silt aquifer in the basin. Drastically declining water levels, up to 10 m in some areas, has been observed within the past decade, creating difficulties with lift irrigation for the local farmers. Therefore, the Department of Groundwater Resources, Thailand, considers that groundwater artificial recharge may be useful for recovering the static water levels within the most hydrogeological suitable areas. The objective of the paper is to rank the suitability of sub-watershed in the Lower Yom River Basin for conducting a pilot-scale testing of MAR (managed aquifer recharge) by ponding system. Hydrogeological and non-hydrogeological parameters were used to formulate the site selection criteria. Boolean logic and Fuzzy logic were used for delineating the 19 sub-watersheds in the Lan Ba watershed. Detailed hydrogeological investigations were conducted in the 10 most prospective sub-watersheds. Of these, the Nong Na 3 sub-watershed covering an area of about 500 hectares was determined to be the most appropriate site for the MAR pilot construction and testing.

MAR, ponding system, Boolean logic, Fuzzy logic, suitability of sub-watersheds, Lower Yom River Basin.