Morphometric analysis and vertical electrical sounding in groundwater prospecting: a case study from a Himalayan foothill river basin, NW India

The present paper exercises applied methods of morphometry and vertical electrical soundings in groundwater studies in a Himalayan foothill river basin, NW India. The drainage density indicates coarse drainage texture and highly permeable geological materials. The form factor indicates a flatter peak of flow for longer duration and high infiltration. The stream frequency and relief ratio suggest less resistant rocks of the region causing higher infiltration. The result of VES applied as appraisal of the morphometric parameters reveals potentially productive aquifer horizons of fine sand, medium sand, gravelly sand and dry sand. The thickness of fine sand, medium sand and dry sand layers are 8.5 m, 70.75 m and 28.5 m respectively. The transverse resistant value for dry sand, fine sand and medium sand range from 3900 Ωm² to 3990 Ωm², 620 Ωm² to 780 Ωm² and 960 Ωm² to 9380 Ωm² respectively suggesting good transmissivity of these aquifer horizons.