Spatio-temporal Dynamics of Groundwater Levels Using Geostatistical Approaches in Alluvial Aquifers of Anand District, Gujarat, India

Abstract

Groundwater plays a vital role in sustaining agriculture and water security in semi-arid regions of India, where increasing extraction pressures necessitate a clear understanding of its variability. This study examines the spatio-temporal dynamics of groundwater levels in the alluvial aquifers of Anand district, Gujarat, over a 20-year period (2000–2020) using pre and post-monsoon data from India-WRIS. Geostatistical analysis through Ordinary Kriging within a GIS framework was employed to map and analyze groundwater distribution. Results indicate significant spatial and temporal variability, with pre-monsoon groundwater declining from 4.4-22.0 m below ground level (bgl) in 2000 to 5.6-26.1 m bgl in 2020, reflecting progressive depletion. Spatially, northern and western regions consistently showed shallower water levels, while southeastern areas remained critically deeper. Post-monsoon analysis revealed an initial recovery phase (2000–2008) due to effective recharge, followed by a reversal after 2012, with expansion of deeper zones exceeding 26 m bgl by 2020. The study highlights a shift from recovery to depletion driven by combined natural and anthropogenic factors, emphasizing the need for sustainable groundwater management strategies, including regulated extraction and improved recharge interventions.