Effect of conservation measures on runoff, soil loss, ground water recharge and crop productivity in watershed
Gaur, K.P.; Mal, B.C.; Pawde, M.N.; Pendke, M.S.
Journal of Soil and Water Conservation in India 42(1-2): 68-79
1998
Accession: 018409015
An Area of 564 hectares was treated with various conservation measures such as contour and staggered trenches. Nala bunds, Cement plug, loose boulder dams. Contour bunds, graded bunds, Nala training works, diversion drains, afforestation and pasture developments etc., at Wagarwadi, in Taluka Aundha (Nagnath), District Parbhani (M.S.) in the Catchment of Purna river, a tributary of river Godavari. Relationship between rainfall intensity-duration-return period was developed for designing different soil conservation structures. The rainfall data were analysed for erosion index values, onset of effective monsoon and critical dry spells for agricultural management and planning. Runoff and sediment loss from the watershed during the year 1992 and 1993 were 237.69 and 200.07 mm, and 1856 and 1344 tonnes (3.3 and 2.38 t/ha/yr), respectively. Water balance model was developed considering daily measurements of rainfall and pan evaporation data over 11 year period. Groundwater flow model was also developed using finite differences technique on a nested square meshes approach. The underground water recharge was significantly improved and helped in raising the water table from 0.3 m to 2.5 m in wells at different locations. The improvement in the productivity of different crops during the year 1992 and 1993 increased in the range of 3.83 to 32.46 per cent and 27.86 to 77.23 per cent with an average increase of 15.78 and 54.19 per cent over the base year, respectively.