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Impact of Peringottukurissi Check Dam on Hydrography of Bharathapuzha River, Kerala

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Abstract

Hydrographic changes in the upsteram and downstream areas of Peringottukurissi check dam in Bharathapuzha river, Kerala State were studied. Seasonal variations in conductivity, hardness, alkalinity, sulphate and total suspended solids were significant in both upstream and downstream areas of the check dam. Phosphate, nitrate, silicate and total dissolved solids (TDS) exhibited significant seasonal variations in the upstream area of the check dam. Higher values of nutrients in the upstream area of the check dam could be due to the use of this area for washing and bathing coupled with leaching of nutrients from the nearby agricultural fields. Comparison of hydrographic features in the upstream and downstream areas revealed significant variations only in the case of phosphate and TDS.
... In India, various groundwater recharge studies have been carried out based on these standards. Several researchers have discussed the mediating impact of artificial recharge structures (ARS) on groundwater fluoride concentrations (Patel 2002;Mudrakartha 2003;Bhagavan and Raghu 2005;Gale 2006;Palanisami et al. 2006;Bijukumar and Abraham 2009;Samarah et al. 2009;Venkateswaran 2010;Brindha and Elango 2012;Elango 2013, 2014;Venkateswaran et al. 2015;Pazand 2016). Water quality is important not only in drinking water, but for irrigation as well-to ensure maximum yield from the crops. ...
... 13). Increased groundwater quality also improves the quality of soils; as a result, many farmers have benefited from ARS. Fluoride concentration was reduced in groundwater after construction of a check dam(Bhagavan and Raghu 2005), studied in Andhra Pradesh, India.Bijukumar and Abraham (2009) observed high concentrations of ions upstream in Peringottu Kurissi, India. Gale (2006) also noted improved groundwater quality in Satlasana, India, as did Mudrakartha (2003) in Gujarat, India. ...
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India’s surface water and groundwater distribution is temporally variable due to the monsoon. Agriculture is one of the dominant economic sectors in India. Groundwater quality is regularly assessed to determine usability for drinking and irrigation. In this study, World Health Organization and Bureau of Indian Standards guidelines were used to determine suitability of groundwater near artificial recharge structures (ARS) with a focus on the structures´ impact on groundwater quality. Groundwater resources were evaluated for irrigation suitability using electrical conductivity (EC), sodium adsorption ratio, the US Salinity Laboratory diagram, sodium concentration, Wilcox’s diagram, Kelly’s index, and Doneen’s permeability index. EC and major ions were tested in recharge areas at different distances from the ARS. The construction of ARS at optimal distances along major streams has improved groundwater quantity and quality in the subbasin. Before construction of ARS, fluoride concentrations were higher; after construction, fluoride was reduced in most locations. Water stored in the check dam and groundwater in the wells closer to the structure were suitable for both drinking and irrigation purposes. Impact of ARS on nearby groundwater quality was observed at Pallipatti, Mulayanur, Venkadasamuthram, Pudupatti, Poyyappatti, Harur1, and Sekkampatti. More distant sites included Pappiredipatti, Nambiyappati, Menasi, Harur, Todampatti, and Adikarapatti. Data demonstrated improved groundwater quality in the area of the ARS. Through recharge, the non-potable fluoride in the region is reduced to the permissible limit for human consumption
... Bharathpuzha watershed is very important for the study, because of the changes in rainfall, it might have affected the hydrological characteristics of the Bharathpuzha watershed (Nikhil Raj and Azeez 2012) and also it was affected by seasonal rainfall, flood and water pressure (Kumar and Abraham 2009;Shah and Mishra 2016). The Mahanadi River basin is especially important to study of hydro-climatic changes, causing the basin prone to frequent flooding, droughts, and cyclones (Dilley et al. 2005). ...
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Modeling of hydrological processes plays a vital role in water resources planning and integrated watershed management. Hydrological models have been developed to estimate the streamflow and sediment yield at the sub-basin scale the using the radar precipitation data. In the present investigation, the Soil and Water Assessment (SWAT) model was configured using radar precipitation data of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM). This setup model was implemented for three watersheds of different hydrological and climatic conditions in India. The observed streamflow and total suspended solids (TSS) in the watershed outlet were used to execute simulation of setup model. The sequential uncertainty fitting technique (SUFI-2) in SWAT-CUP was adopted for sensitivity analysis, calibration, and validation of SWAT model components. Performance of the developed model was assessed by Nash–Sutcliffe model efficiency (NSE) and coefficient of determination (R2). The result of the streamflow simulation obtained at Mahanadi, Bharathpuzha, and Wunna watershed show NSE values of 0.78, 0.70, and 0.63 while the R2 values were 0.81, 0.60, and 0.63 respectively. During streamflow, the model was well simulated for Mahanadi and Bharathpuzha watershed and insignificantly for the Wunna watershed, compared to others. During the simulation of TSS, It was only Mahanadi that was well simulated. Higher runoff and sediment yield were observed in Wunna and Mahanadi, respectively, and insignificant response was observed compared to others in Bharathpuzha. The calibrated parameters and obtained results could be implemented for proper land management practices and watershed management.
... Several researchers have studied the impact of such structures in enhancing quality of groundwater. Artificial recharge structures improved the groundwater quality and even reduced the concentrations of toxic ions such as arsenic, fluoride and boron because of dilution [2,3] . However, a few researchers have also highlighted the constraints implicated in using recharge structures for improving the water quality. ...
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Artificial recharge is a technique used to recharge the groundwater resources which exploited by pumping for irrigation and drinking purpose. An artificial recharge structures are practiced in the hard rock regions of Tamil Nadu for groundwater restoration and also to enhance the groundwater quality.In the present study, an existing recharge structures in Thondamuthur block of was selected to assess the impact of artificialrecharge structures in enhancing the groundwater quality. The considerable improvement in groundwater quality wasobserved due to the effect of artificial recharge structures. The maximum water qualityimprovement was observed near the artificial recharge structuresat downstream side. The standard ofirrigation water was improved during post monsoon period. Hence, it is recommended torecharge the groundwater artificially by constructing artificial recharge structures wherever feasible in the study area.
... Improvement on groundwater recharge due to the construction of check dam using water level measurement is carried out by Alderwish, 2010; AI-Muttair et al., 1994; Ashraf et al., 2007; Al-Turbak, 1991; Gale et al., 2006; Mudrakartha, 2003; Muralidharan, 2007. Improvement on groundwater quality around the check dam vicinity is assessed by water quality parameters and this is been assessed by Bhagavan &Raghu, 2005; Gale et al., 2006; Bijukumar and Abraham, 2009; Mudrakartha, 2003; Palanisami et al., 2006; Samarah et al., 2009. The present study was carried out with the objective of assessing the impact of a check dam constructed across Arani River as a method of MAR in near Chennai in augmenting groundwater.Figure 2. Location of check dam and monitoring wells in the study area ...
Conference Paper
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Check dams for intentional storage of surface runoff is often preferred as a method of managed aquifer recharge in non-perennial rivers. The objective of this study is to assess the improvement in groundwater storage by a check dam constructed across Arani River located north of Chennai, India. Groundwater level was measured around the check dam before and after its construction. After the construction of the check dam, water level in the dam was also measured. The groundwater table was generally at a depth of 12 m below ground level before the construction of check dam. After the construction of check dam, the groundwater level has increased by about 2 m. The temporal variation in groundwater level was compared with the water level fluctuation in the check dam.The groundwater level fluctuation in wells that are located closer to the dam is similar to the water level fluctuation in the check dam indicating that the water stored in the dam recharges them. Based on the water level measurements it is estimated that this check dam harvest about 1.8 Mm3 of surface water every year and about 66% of this water is recharged. An area of about 3 km2 is benefited by raise in groundwater level around the check dam. The study carried out over the period of two years after the construction of this check dam indicates no reduction in recharge due to expected physical or biological clogging. Hence, managed aquifer recharge by check dam across this river is augmenting groundwater storage in this area.
... However, a few researchers have also highlighted the constraints involved in using check dam for improving the water quality. Impact of check dams on the groundwater quality of a tropical river in Kerala, India was studied by Bijukumar et al. (2009). Electrical conductivity, alkalinity, nitrite, sulphate and total suspended solids of surface water from both upstream and downstream areas did not vary much throughout the year whereas, phosphate, nitrate and total dissolved solids exhibited significant seasonal variations in the upstream area of the check dam. ...
Article
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Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) through check dams is the intentional recharge of water in the aquifers. The objective of this paper is to present a review of research work carried out on the impact of check dams in improving the groundwater quantity, quality and livelihood of people. Further, investigation carried out on the effectiveness of a check dam across Arani River, located north-west of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India is also presented as a case study. The study reveals that proper maintenance of check dams will result in the sustainable replenishment of groundwater resources in a region. In general the MAR through check dam is found to be one of the efficient methods to improve the groundwater head and quality which in turn improve the livelihood of community as indicated by most of the studies. Case study carried out near Chennai is an evident that check dam has increased the groundwater level up to 1.5m. Thus MAR by check dam can be considered as a best option for efficient and sustainable management of groundwater resources.
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