Palaeochannels of the Yamuna River in the Marginal Plain of Ganga Basin between Delhi and Agra: The Old Valley Margin Limit and Hydrogeological Perspectives
Authors
-
Rajiv Gandhi National Ground Water Training and Research Institute (RGNGWTRI), CGWB, Raipur - 492 015
Sudarsan Sahu -
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad - 121 004
Dipankar Saha
-
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Bhujal Bhawan, NH-IV, Faridabad - 121 001
Anoop Nagar
-
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), Northern Region, Lucknow - 226 021
Shashi Kant Singh
Keywords:
No Keywords.Abstract
Earlier, prior to Holocene, after its avulsion from the west of Aravali to the east of Aravali, the Yamuna River was flowing in a straight course in N-S direction, remaining ~5-25 km closer to the Indian peninsula in comparison to its active channel. The river, between Delhi and Agra, has shifted to its present location after taking an eastward turn at south of Delhi followed by a southward turn. There are geomorphic, lithologic and hydrogeologic imprints of its palaeo-courses in the left-back palaeo-valleys (width: 10-15 km) in the Marginal Alluvial Plain (MAP) between the aforesaid cities. Granular zones (up to 60 m thick), comprising fine to medium, micaceous grey sand, are preserved in the top 70 m slice of the stratigraphic framework along the palaeochannels. The sand zones create promising hydrogeological conditions in otherwise an aquifer-scarce region of MAP. The palaeochannel belt runs for almost 180 km being roughly parallel to the active course. Frequent imprints of the palaeochannels are observed between Delhi and Mathura in a length of ~120 km. The saturated palaeochannel aquifer bears the potential of yielding 7.6 BCM of fresh groundwater.
Downloads
Metrics
Issue
Section
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
References
Ali, P.Y., Jie, D., Khan, A., Sravanthi, N., Rao, L.A.K. and Hao, C. (2019) Channel migration characteristics of the Yamuna River from 1954 to 2015 in the vicinity of Agra, India: A case study using remote sensing and GIS. Internat. Jour. River Basin Managmt., pp.1814-2060. doi: 10.1080/15715124.2019.1566238.
Amoros, C. and Bornette, G. (2002) Connectivity and 937 biocomplexity in waterbodies of riverine floodplains. Freshw. 938 Biol. v.47, pp.761–776.
Bandyopadhyay, S. (1996) Location of the Adi-Ganga palaeochannel, South 24- Parganas, West Bengal: A review. Geograph. Rev. India, v.58(2), pp.93–109.
Bhadra, B.K., Gupta, A.K. and Sharma, J.R. (2009) Saraswati Nadi in Haryana and its linkage with the Vedic Saraswati — integrated study based on satellite images and ground-based information, Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.73, pp.273–288.
Bonsor, H.C., MacDonald, A.M., Ahmed, K.M. et al., (2017) Hydrogeological typologies of the Indo-Gangetic basin alluvial aquifer, South Asia. Hydrogeol. Jour., v.25, pp.1377–1406.
CGWB (2004) Ground water exploration, Unpubl Rep. Haryana State. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
CGWB (2007) Manual on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. https://cgwb.gov.in/documents/Manual-Artificial-Recharge.pdf.
CGWB (2012) Aquifer systems of India. Central Groundwater Board, Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi
CGWB (2013a) Ground water Information Booklet, Faridabad district, Haryana. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
CGWB (2013b) Ground water Information Booklet, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
CGWB (2013c) Ground water Information Booklet, Agra district, Uttar Pradesh. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
CGWB (2015) Report on Aquifer Mapping and Management Plain, National Capital Region (NCR), Haryana, Volume 1. Central Groundwater Board, North Western Region, Chandigarh, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.
CGWB (2018) Ground water exploration, Unpubl Rep. Uttar Pradesh State. Central Ground Water Board, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Reources, RD & GR, Government of India.
Chakraborty, T. and Ghosh, P. (2010) The geomorphology and sedimentology of the Tista megafan, Darjeeling Himalaya: implications for megafan building processes. Geomorphology, v.115, pp.252–266
Challis, K. (2006) Airborne laser altimetry in alluviated landscapes. Archaeological Prospection, v.13(2), pp.103–127.
Chandra, C., Choudhurya, J., Mauryaa, P.K., Ahmed, A.., Auken, E. and Verma, S.K. (2019) Geological significance of delineating paleochannels with AEM. Explor. Geophys., v.51. DOI: 10.1080/08123985.2019.1646098.
Chandra, S., Tiwari, V.M. and others (2021) Airborne Electromagnetic Signatures of an Ancient River in the Water-Stressed Ganga Plain, Prayagraj, India: A Potential Groundwater Repository. Geophys. Res. Lett., v.48(23)
Chaudhary, B. and Aggarwal, S. (2009) Demarcation of palaeochannels and integrated ground water resources mapping in parts of Hisar district, Haryana. Jour. Indian Soc. Remote Sens., v.37(2), pp.251-260.
Clift, P.D., Carter, A., Giosan, L., Duncan, J., Duller, G.A.T., Mcklin, M.G., Alizai, Anwar, Tabrez, Ali R., Danish, Mohammad, Vanlaningham, S. and Fuller, D.O., (2012) U-Pb zircon dating evidence for a Pleistocene Saraswati River and capture of the Yamuna River, Geology, v.40(2).
Geddes, A. (1960) The alluvial morphology of the Indo-Gangetic plain: its mapping and geographic significances. Trans. Ins. Br. Geograph., v.28, pp.253–276
Gibling, M.R., Tandon, S.K., Sinha, R. and Jain, M. (2005) Discontinuity-bounded alluvial sequences of the southern Gangetic Plains, India: aggradation and degradation in response to monsoonal strength. Jour.Sediment. Res., v.75(3), pp.369-385
Gohain, K. and Parkash, B. (1990) Morphology of the kosi megafan. In: Rachoki, A. and Church, M. (Eds.), Alluvial Fans: A Field Approach. Wiley, Chichester, pp.151–178.
Gupta, A.K., Sharma, J.R., Sreenivasan, G., Srivastava, K.S. (2011b) Using satellite imagery to reveal the course of an extinct river below the Thar Desert in Indo-Pak region. Internat. Jour. Remote Sens., v.32(18), pp.5197–5216.
Gupta, R.P., Kumar, S. and Samadder, R.K. (2011a) Palaeochannels as reservoirs for watershed management, Proc. 4th Intern. Conf. Research in Watersheds, Fairbanks, U.K., pp.156–161.
Gurusamy, S. and Jayaraman, G. (2012) Flood inundation simulation in river basin using a shallow water model: application to river Yamuna, Delhi region. Internat. Jour. Adv. Eng. Sci. Appl. Math, v.4(4), pp.250–259.
Jain, V. and Sinha, R. (2005) Response of active tectonics on the alluvial Baghmati River, Himalayan Foreland Basin, eastern India. Geomorphology, v.70(3–4), pp.339–356
Karydas, C.G., Gitas, I.Z., Koutsogiannaki, E., Lyda-kis-Simantiris, N. and Silleous, G.N. (2009) Evaluation of spatial interpolation techniques for mapping agricultural top soil properties in Crete. EARSel eProc., v.8(1), pp.26–39
Khan, I. and Sinha, R. (2019) Discovering ‘buried’ channels of the Palaeo-Yamuna river in NW India using geophysical evidence: Implications for major drainage reorganization and linkage to the Harappan Civilization. Jour. Appl. Geophys., v.167, pp.128-139.
Kressic, N. (2007) Hydrogeology and groundwater modelling. Second Edition. CRC Press. Taylor & Francis Group 6000 Broken Sound Parkway NW, Suite 300. Boca Raton, FL 33487 2742
Krishan, G., Singh, S., Sharma, A., et al. (2017) Assessment of river Yamuna and groundwater interaction using isotopes in agra and mathura area of Uttar Pradesh, India. Internat. Jour. Hydrol., v.1(3), pp.86-89. DOI: 10.15406/ijh.2017.01.00016
Lorenzen, G., Sprenger, C., Baudron, P., Gupta, D. and Peckdeger, A. (2012) Origin and dynamics of groundwater salinity in the alluvial plains of western Delhi and adjacent territories of Haryana State, India. Hydrol. Process., v.26, pp.2333–2345.
Mitra, D.S. and Bhadu, B. (2012 Possible contribution of River Saraswati in groundwater aquifer system in western Rajasthan, India. Curr. Sci., v.102(5), pp.685-689.
Mulligan, A.E., Evans, R.L. and Lizarralde, D. (2007) The role of paleochannels in groundwater/seawater exchange. Jour. Hydrol., v.335(3), pp.313–329.
NCRPB (2009) Functional Plan for Groundwater Recharge in National Capital Region. National Capital Region Planning Board. Ministry of Urban Development. Government of India.
Peakall, J., Leeder, M., Best, J. and Ashworth, P. (2000) River response to lateral ground tilting: a synthesis and some implications for the modelling of alluvial architecture in extensional basins. Basin Res., v.12, pp.413-424.
Prusty P., Farooq, S.H., Swain, D. and Chandrasekharam, D. (2020) Association of geomorphic features with groundwater quality and freshwater availability in coastal regions. Internat. Jour. Environ. Sci. Tech., v.17(6), 3313–3333.
Rahman, T.A., Arpan, S. and Jafri, A.M. (2016) Ground Water Modeling of Faridabad district, Haryana, India. Internat. Jour. Agricul. Sci., v.8(47), pp.1957-1965.
Raiverman, V., Kunte, S.V. and Mukherjea, A. (1983) Basin geometry, Cenozoic sedimentation and hydrocarbon in north western Himalaya and Indo-Gangetic plains. Petroleum Asia Jour., v.6, pp67-92.
Rathore, V., Nathawat, M., Champatiray, P. (2010) Palaeochannel detection and aquifer performance assessment in Mendha River catchment, Western India. Jour. Hydrol., v.395(3), pp.216–225.
Revil, A., Cary, L., Fan, Q., Finizola, A. and Trolard, F. (2005) Selfpotential signals associated with preferential ground water flow pathways in a buried paleo-channel. Geophys. Res. Lett., v.32, L07401. doi:10.1029/2004GL022124
Saha, D., Dhar, Y.R. and Vittala, S.S. (2009) Delineation of groundwater development potential zones in parts of marginal Ganga Alluvial Plain in South Bihar, eastern India. Environ. Monit. Assess., v.165, pp.179–191.
Sahu, S., Raju, N.J. and Saha, D. (2010) Active tectonics and geomorphology in the Sone-Ganga alluvial tract in mid-Ganga Basin, India. Quaternary Internat., v.227, pp.116–126.
Sahu, S. and Saha, D. (2014) Geomorphologic, stratigraphic and sedimentologic evidences of tectonic activity in Sone–Ganga alluvial tract in Middle Ganga Plain, India. Journal of Earth System Science 123 (6), 1335-1347.
Sahu, S., Saha, D. and Dayal, S. (2015) Sone megafan: a non-Himalayan megafan of craton origin on the southern margin of the Middle Ganga Basin, India. Geomorphology, v.250, pp.349–369.
Sahu, S., Saha, D. and Shukla, R.R. (2018) Sone megafan: a non-Himalayan megafan of craton origin, forming a potential groundwater reservoir in marginal parts of Ganga Basin, India. Hydrogeol. Jour., v.26(8), pp.2891-2917.
Saini, H.S., Tandon, S.K., Mujtaba, S.A.T., Pant N.C. and Khorana, R.K. (2009) Reconstruction of buried-floodplain systems of the northwestern Harayana Plain and their relation to the ‘Vedic’ Saraswati. Curr, Sci., v.97. pp.1634-1643
Samadder, R.K., Gupta, R.P. and Kumar, S. (2011) Palaeochannels and their potential for artificial groundwater recharge in the western Ganga plains. Jour. Hydrol., v.400(1), pp.154–164.
Sastri, V.V., Bhandari, L.L., Raju, A.T.R. and Dutta, A.K. (1971) Tectonic framework and subsurface stratigraphy of the Ganga Basin. Jour. Geol. Soc. India, v.12, pp.223–233.
Shekhar, S., Rao, S.V.N. (2011) Groundwater management in Palla well field of Delhi using numerical modelling technique - a case study. Bhu-jal News. v.25(3&4) and v.26(1&4) combined, pp.46-51.
Shukla, U.K., Singh, I.B., Sharma, M. and Sharma, S. (2001) A model of alluvial megafan sedimentation: Ganga Megafan. Sediment. Geol., v.144, pp.243–262.
Singh, I,B. (1996) Geological evolution of Ganga Plain: an overview. Jour. Paleont. Soc. India, v.41, pp.99–137.
Sinha, R., Jain, V., Babu, G.P. and Ghosh, S. (2005) Geomorphic characterization and diversity of the fluvial systems of the Gangetic plains. Geomorphology, v.70(3-4), 207–225.
Sinha, R., Kettanah, Y., Gibling, M.R., Tandon, S.K., Jain, M., Bhattacharjee, P.S., Dasgupta, A.S. and Ghazanfar, P. (2009) Craton-derived alluvium as a major sediment source in the Himalayan Foreland Basin of India. GSA Bull., v.121(11/12), pp.1596–1610
Upadhyay, R., Sharma, N. and Sharma, M. (2021) Delineation and mapping of palaeochannels using remote sensing, geophysical, and sedimentological techniques: A comprehensive approach. Water Sci., v.35(1), pp.100-108. doi:10.1080/23570008.2021.1941691.
Valdiya, K.S. (2016) Prehistoric River Saraswati: Geological Appraisal and Social Aspects, Springer, pp-136.
Valdiya, K.S., Bisht, R.S., Tandon, S.K., Sinha, R., Bhadra, B.K., Kar, A., Prabhakar, V.N. and Chatterjee, R. (2016) Palaeochannels of North West India: Review and Assessment. Report of the Expert Committee to Review Available Information on Palaeochannels. Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India, New Delhi.
Wray, R.A. (2009) Palaeochannels of the Namoi River Floodplain, New South Wales, Australia: the use of multispectral Landsat imagery to highlight a Late Quaternary change in fluvial regime. Australian Geographer, v.40(1), pp.29–49.
Yaspal., Baldev, S., Sood, R.K. and Agarwal, D.P. (1980) Remote Sensing of the lost Sarasvati River. Proc. Indian Acad. Sci. (Earth Planet Sci), v.89(3), pp.317-331.
