Exploration of groundwater potential zones using analytical hierarchical process (AHP) approach in the Godavari river basin of Maharashtra in India

Total natural and groundwater resources play the most crucial role in developing ecological, biological and socioeconomic doings. Various parameters like land use, geology, elevation, slope, lineament, lineament density, drainage density and geomorphology affect the groundwater development of recharge and its accessibility. In this research, geographical information system (GIS), remote sensing, weighted overlay analysis and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods have been used for groundwater prospects mapping,  and identifying suitable solutions site for soil and water conservation structures. To calculate the weights were assigned to every layers component in the determination of affecting factors. The weighted overlay analysis (WOA) tool is applied to give the sub-parameter ratings based on the scientific literature. The final map of potential groundwater zone map has prepared using Arc GIS 10.1 software and AHP methods. About 49.71% of the areas fall under the 'good potential zone, 41.05% falls under the 'moderate potential zone', and 9.22% falls under the 'poor zone by using AHP technique. Groundwater potential zone map is depend on the weighted overlay analysis and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) methods. The highest GWP is located in the lower part of the basin due to the best surface runoff gathering, infiltration situations and subsurface storage volume. The present study procedure, methods and outcomes can be valuable to estimate the suitable groundwater zones parallel to improve the dry land area in the semi-arid and arid regions of India.