Groundwater Potential Assessment and Mapping Using Geospatial Techniques: The Case of Eastern Catchment of Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

Groundwater Is An Extremely Valuable Source Of Fresh Water For Domestic Use, Irrigation, And Industrial Activities, Especially In Regions Where Surface Water Is Limited Or Seasonal. This Study Aims To Assess Groundwater Potential In The Eastern Catchment Of The Awash River Basin Using Geospatial Techniques. A Quantitative Analytical Research Design Was Employed, Integrating Various Spatial Data Layers To Evaluate And Map Groundwater Potential Zones. The Study Utilized Topographic Parameters Such As Slope And Elevation (From SRTM, USGS), Land Use/Land Cover Data (From Copernicus), Soil Texture And Depth (From FAO), Rainfall Data (From The Ethiopian Meteorological Agency), And Hydrological Parameters Such As Stream Networks, Stream Density, And Flow Accumulation (From SRTM). Rainfall Data Were Spatially Interpolated Using The Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) Method, And Hydrological Data Were Processed To Determine Proximity To Streams. All Thematic Layers Were Reclassified And Standardized For Integration. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) Was Applied To Assign Weights To Each Factor Based On Literature And Expert Judgment, And The Resulting Groundwater Potential Map Was Validated Using Soil Moisture Data From The Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). The Analysis Identified Five Groundwater Potential Zones Ranging From Highly Suitable To Not Suitable. Highly Suitable Areas Were Predominantly Found In The Middle And Southern Parts Of The Catchment, Characterized By Gentle Slopes, Dense Vegetation Cover, And Proximity To Surface Water Sources That Support Groundwater Recharge. Moderately And Marginally Suitable Areas Had More Variable Terrain And Land Cover Conditions. The Study Concludes That Integrating AHP With GIS And Remote Sensing Data Is An Effective Approach For Groundwater Potential Mapping. The Inclusion Of GLDAS Data Further Enhanced The Reliability Of The Results. The Findings Underscore The Critical Role Of Geospatial Technologies In Identifying, Managing, And Optimizing Groundwater Resources. This Method Is Recommended For Application In Other Underexplored Or Water-Stressed Regions To Support Sustainable Water Resource Planning And Management.