Investigating Potential Artesian Aquifers in Rod-Kohi Area of DI Khan, NWFP using GIS and Geo-Processing Techniques ARSHAD ASHRAF*, MUHAMMAD BILAL IQBAL*, AND NAVEED MUSTAFA* RECEIVED ON 25.06.2009 ACCEPTED ON 18.11.2009 ABSTRACT The artesian aquifers provide economical and sustainable source of groundwater for irrigation and domestic use. GIS (Geographic Information System) was used for development and integration of spatial databases, analysis and visualization of spatial data in two- and three-dimensional views. The aquifer system of Daraban Rod-Kohi area of DI Khan was analyzed to identify potential artesian aquifers using geological sections of the observation wells representing detail of subsurface lithology and strata encountered. According to an estimate, about 1,700 million m3 of extractable volume of groundwater exists in this part of rod-kohi area. Different profile sections were drawn to analyze the subsurface condition of the study area using Rockworks GIS-based software. The geo-processing technique of horizontal litho-blending was utilized for lithological modeling. Based on stratigraphic information of the area, three distinct aquifers were identified down to a depth of about 200 meters among which two are semi-confined to confined having prospects of artesian water. The 2D and 3D analysis show that characteristics of the confined aquifers vary spatially with the subsurface lithology and structural setup of the area. The depth range of confined layer-1 is found between 118 and 133 meters while of confined layer-2 between 182 and 195 meters. The output data indicated a close agreement with the observed data of the artesian wells. The study results can provide base for detail investigation of artesian resource and selection of potential sites for installation of artesian wells in the target area. Key Words: Artesian Aquifer, Groundwater, GIS, Lithological Modeling, Rod Kohi Area, DI Khan. * Water Resources Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Center, Park Road, Chakshehzad, Islamabad. 1. INTRODUCTION areas of the country, uncertainty exists in flood water availability for irrigation use. The rod-kohi areas which are flooded less frequently or inadequately, are generally irrigated with private tubewells and open wells [2]. The groundwater pumpage through tubewells is also becoming costly due to increase in fuel and electricity prices. Among over one million tubewells in the country being operated using electric or diesel prime-movers, around 87% are being Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology, Volume 31, No. 3, July, 2012 [ISSN 0254-7821] 361 T he artesian aquifers form a valuable source of groundwater in arid areas of Pakistan. This important resource which sustain yield even during drought conditions, has not been investigated fully yet for irrigation and domestic purposes. The recent drought forced the farmers to introduce supplemental irrigation using groundwater resources through springs, wells, tubewells and Karezes [1]. In rod-kohi (or 'Sailaba')