Geomorphic Imprints and Land-Use Footprints in Groundwater Potential Zonation of Karha River Catchment

Abstract Groundwater scarcity continues to be a major challenge in areas where local communities have limited technical understanding of groundwater systems and their management. The present study examines the geomorphological features and land use/land cover patterns of the Karha River basin to identify and map groundwater potential zones. Based on origin and morphological characteristics, the basin’s landforms are categorized into structural, denudational, and depositional types. Structural landforms, mainly found in the northern, northeastern, and marginal parts of the basin, including Askarwadi, Chimbali, and Jejuri, are associated with poor groundwater prospects. In contrast, Denudational landforms such as pediments and pediplains, located in the central part of the basin around Garade, Saswad, and Morgaon, exhibit moderate groundwater potential. The highest groundwater potential is observed in depositional landforms situated in the southeastern sector near the confluence of the Karha and Nira rivers, particularly in areas such as Songaon, Doralwadi, Karhavagaj, and Male Wadi. These results emphasize the importance of geomorphological analysis as a key tool for identifying suitable zones for sustainable groundwater exploration, planning, and management in hard rock river basins.