Evaluating aquifer response to variable groundwater pumpage scenarios in Indus basin through finite element modeling

A three-dimensional numerical groundwater flow model was developed using feflow 5.1 software to investigate the aquifer behavior of upper jhelum canal command under variable scenarios of groundwater pumpage. the results of the study show that the groundwater system is effected by variable conditions of the groundwater pumpage thus influencing the watertable status in the indus irrigated plain. the groundwater levels indicated sensitivity to both increase in numbers of tubewells and pumpage rates. although lowering of the watertable due to increase in groundwater pumpage may result in minimizing the negative effects of waterlogging and salinity in the area but other influential factors (physical and management) also need to be investigated in order to reduce future risks of these problems on sustainable basis. a detail investigation of the groundwater system is required in context of increasing number of private/public tubewells and rapidly changing environment in the indus irrigated plain. © pakistan academy of sciences.