Water level trend in the barind area

The water level trend,using monthly data of 50 observation wells - 2 in each of the 25 upazillas under barind multipurpose development authority command area in the district of rajshahi,bangladesh - was analyzed for the period of 1986-2004. to determine the lean season maximum and wet season minimum trends,depth to water level was regressed over the time span a 5-year moving average instead of raw data was employed in formulating the regression equation. the slope or inclination of the regression equation,which indicated the trend of depth to water level,was mapped. a composite trend map,combining both the maximum and minimum depths,was presented that delineated distinct zones with regards to their potentiality in the barind area. about 2/3 of the area showed gradual fall in the water level both in dry and wet seasons. most of the remaining area,situated in the west,east and south east,experienced lowing of the water level either in the post monsoon season or during the lean period. only small areas in shibganj and gomastapur in the west and naogaon in the east exhibited a rise in water level.