CALIBRATION AND VALIDATION OF THE DEVELOPED GROUNDWATER MODEL FOR NAGARJUNA SAGAR RIGHT CANAL COMMAND AREA

R. GANESH BABU¹*, G. RAVI BABU², A. MANI³, P. PRASUNA RANI⁴, V. SRINIVASA RAO^5
1Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Dr NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, 522 101, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
²Professor & Head, Department of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, Dr NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, 522 101, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
³Associate Dean & Professor, Dr NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, 522 101, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
⁴Principal Scientist & Head, Geospatial Technology Centre, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
⁵Professor & University Head, Department of Statistics and Computer Applications, Agricultural College, Bapatla, 522 101, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
* Corresponding Author : ganipatnaik@gmail.com

Received : 01-10-2019     Accepted : 13-10-2019     Published : 15-10-2019
Volume : 11     Issue : 19       Pages : 9113 - 9117
Int J Agr Sci 11.19 (2019):9113-9117

Keywords : Groundwater modelling, Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal Command area, Visual MODFLOW, Calibration and validation
Academic Editor : G Thirupathaiah
Conflict of Interest : None declared
Acknowledgements/Funding : Authors are thankful to Groundwater Department, Irrigation Department and the Bureau of Economics and Statistics Department for providing the data. Authors are also thankful to Dr NTR College of Agricultural Engineering, Bapatla, 522 101; Agricultural College, Bapatla, 522 101; Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University, Lam, Guntur, 522 034, India
Author Contribution : All authors equally contributed

Modelling is the best tool to optimize the different combinations and to select the best combination. Using computer models, best solution or scenario can optimize by creating model with real conditions. In this study, three dimensional finite difference modelling program namely Visual MODFLOW applied to Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal Command area to simulate the groundwater dynamics. The Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal (NSRC) Command area is located between 15°18΄-16°49΄ North latitudes and 79°20΄-80°25΄ East longitudes. The net area irrigated under Nagarjuna Sagar Right Canal is 4.75 lakh ha. The aquifer properties of various layers, boundary conditions, observation and pumping well data, recharge and evapotranspiration conditions were fed in to the model as inputs. The model was calibrated and validated to predict the groundwater dynamics in future. Model calibration was performed under steady state and transient state conditions as the good agreement between observed and calculated groundwater levels with acceptable statistic measures. Validation of the model was carried out and found good agreement between observed and calculated groundwater levels with acceptable statistic measures. The calibrated and validated groundwater model can be used to evaluate the impact of various possible scenarios with change in land use land cover on the groundwater flow system of the study area for planning, monitoring and maintaining sustainable groundwater resources in the study area. The output of the developed model could be used for further groundwater modelling studies in the study area.

1. Mondal N.C and Singh V.S. (2009) Journal of Geography and Regional Planning, 2(1), 001-019.
2. Arora A.N. and Goyal R. (2012) ISH Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 18(1), 45-53.
3. Surinaidu L., Muthuwatta L., Amarasinghe U.A., Jain S.K., Ghosh N.C., Kumar S. and Singh S. (2016) Journal of Hydrology, 540, 207-219.
4. Khadri S.F.R and Pande C. (2016) Modelling Earth Systems and Environment, 2(39), 1-17.
5. Ahmed A.A.M., Jose P.F.A., Abu E.E.M and Ahmed M.M. (2016) Journal of Geoscience and Environmental Protection, 4,66-76.
6. Chitsazan M. and Movahedian A. (2015) Journal of Geoscience and Environmental Protection, 3,122-132.
7. Matthew J.K., Adrian W.D. and Daan H. (2015) Journal of Hydrology, 523, 515-530.
8. Shanthi S. (2015) Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Special issue, 8,48-51.
9. Needhidasan S. and Manoj N. (2013) International Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, 2(3),41-50.
10. Harbaugh A.W. (2005) U.S. Geological Survey Techniques and Methods, 2005, 6-A16.