Groundwater potential zone mapping using GIS and RS techniques in Elwaye District, Borena zone, Southern Ethiopia

Due to the Borena Zone's droughts, urbanization, and paucity of surface water, groundwater is becoming more and more necessary. The research area is far about 27 km from west Yabello town, Oromia regional state of Southern Ethiopia and aims to delineate the groundwater potential zone at Elwaye district. The purpose of the study is to fill the gaps on surface water scarcity leading drought and select the suitable area for groundwater potential. The Analytical hierarchy process approach in Geographical Information systems and remote sensing were used in the research to evaluate the precise and trustworthy groundwater sources. Nine primary criteria, including lithology, geological structure, drainage density, lineament density, soil texture, elevation, rainfall, slope, and land use/cover, were determined in order to define the groundwater potential zone. All those nine factors were derived from field surveys and satellite data. As a result, priority value and weightage for each theme layer were determined using weighted overlay analysis methods, and the results were divided into three groups, which represent high (18,137.52 ha), moderate (9631.98 ha), and low (18,674.1 ha), with 39%, 20%, and 41% respectively. The three primary aquifer types in the research region are fractured basement rocks with intrusion, fractured volcanic rocks, and superficial deposits. The direction of groundwater flow is mostly from southeast and northwest. The region's fractured volcanic aquifer and alluvial and eluvial deposits affected by brittle geological structures represent the most promising groundwater zones. The scientific reference and input for groundwater investment is the key outcomes of the finding. For instance, the study area's north and southwest are high-potential zones. Therefore, these tools are very effective for groundwater exploration and indispensable for planning and utilization of groundwater.