SIMULATION OF WATER TABLE POSITION IN RESPONSE TO WEATHER AND TUBEWELL ABSTRACTION USING WASIM MODEL
A study was conducted at Zabramari Fadama Area in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State, Nigeria. The area covers a fadama land of 1,700ha. The study was done to predict the behavior of the aquifer system for the purpose of sustainability. The WaSim software program which is a one dimensional processed based computer model was used to simulate the effect of water abstraction (irrigation) and weather (rainfall, evapotranspiration) under drained condition over a medium term period of ten (10) years. Soils, climate, crop and irrigation (abstraction) data were obtained from field study and used for the model validation. The data was analysed and results obtained displayed on the WaSim model interface. The findings showed that water table fluctuation ranged from 7.65 to 0.26 m for abstraction rate of 1.0 l/s to 6.5 l/s respectively. Maximum fall of water table over the period of simulation was 10.0m at an abstraction rate of 5.5 l/s. Climate had little effect on water table fluctuations (3.0m) for zero irrigation or zero abstraction. The effect of the average abstraction rate of 1.5 l/s over the study area was minimal (3.0m) on water table position (drawdown). Suction lift (8.0m) of portable petrol driven engine pumps used by farmers in the study area is below water table fall (3.0m) at abstraction rate below 5.5l/s which eliminate the fear of water table fall exceeding the suction lift of pumps. Suggestions and recommendations were proffered in relation to the establishment and maintenance of metrological station by State Government and Federal agencies for long term and accurate data.
Authors : G.S. Malgwi, I. Vanke and J. Mikailu
Category : Open Access Volume (Issue) : 4(1) Date Uploaded : 9th October 2018