Indian Journal of Science and Technology

Abstract

Objectives: This study investigates the effect of lineaments and surface water flow direction on groundwater prospect of Moro area of Central Kwara, Nigeria using landsat imagery, drainage pattern, and groundwater potential map in a bid to determine the causes of persistent borehole failure and low yield. The study involved the extraction of lineaments from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) satellite imagery and construction of drainage network. The geographic information system (GIS) environment was effectively used for the lineament analysis. The lineaments and drainage system were superimposed on an already existing groundwater potential map generated from vertical electrical sounding data in the area. The lineament map showed that most of the structures are found in the north-eastern and south-western parts while other areas were characterized by scanty and no lineaments (structures). The superimposition of lineaments on drainage patterns showed that they are not structurally controlled. The results obtained from the superimposed lineament and drainage system correlates reasonably with the groundwater potential map. The groundwater potential in the area was therefore characterized using the degree of interaction between the lineament and drainage system. The north-western, central and parts of the southern region of the study area were demarcated as having high groundwater potential while others are characterized with moderate potential except a small portion in the south-western part which is of low groundwater potential. It is inferred that the weak lineaments and drainage pattern interaction is responsible for the low recharge rate of aquifers resulting in low groundwater potential in some part of the study area.

Keywords: Lineament, Drainage, Groundwater Potential, Moro Area, Orientation.