BARC/PUB/2012/1028

 
 

Isotope hydrogeological study on a few drying springs in Surla valley, Sirmaur District, Himachal Pradesh

 
     
 
Author(s)

Kumar, U. S.; Ansari, M. A.; Deodhar, A.; Khatti, V. S.
(IAD)

Source

Current Science, 2012. Vol. 103 (1): pp. 87-90

ABSTRACT

In the Surla valley of the mountainous Sirmaur District of Himachal Pradesh, springs are the only available source of water for domestic and agricultural use. The drying of springs during summer causes a lot of hardship to the inhabitants of this region. Therefore, a study of environmental isotopes (2H, 18O, 3H) along with hydrogeochemistry and geomorphology was undertaken to identify the recharge zones of the drying springs. From the stable isotope data of rainwater, altitude effect was estimated (–0.6‰ for δ 18O per 100 m elevation) and recharge zones of the drying springs were identified (+700 to +1150 m amsl). Based on the recharge elevations identified from the isotopic study and from the interpretation of the geomorphological setting of the valley and taking into consideration the availability of space, it has been decided that contour-bunding, or building of check dams or levees structures with gabion are suitable methods of rainwater harvesting for augmenting recharge of the drying springs.

 
 
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