Seasonal Estimation of Ground Water Potential of Patan Branch Canal

The command area of Patan Branch Canal under Rani Avanti Bai Sagar Pariyozana was considered for present study. The command of PBC was discritized into different discrete units as per homogeneity in soil, ground water depth like A₂, B₂, C₂ and C₃. The study was aimed to estimate recharge from various sources at the full creation of the canal project where future cropping intensity, cropping pattern and water release norms have been taken into consideration. The maximum canal command area (16,955 ha) was in unit C₃ with total length of minors and distributaries as 234.06 km and 43.1 km respectively, whereas minimum canal command area (3,466 ha) was in unit A₂ with total length of minors and distributaries as 38.16 km and 23.6 km respectively. Discrete unit B₂ had maximum amount of recharge (45.55 cm) which may create water logging in Rabi season followed by unit A₂ (31.2 cm) which may not cause water logging owing to priority comparatively lower water table in pre-monsoon. Unit C₂ has minimum amount of recharge (28.21 cm). Gross recharge in the whole command during Kharif season was 95.26% of total annual recharge.