Assessment of Spatial Variability of Groundwater Levels in Moroto District, Uganda

Abstract

Globally, the variation of groundwater levels is increasingly overwhelming due to over exploitation resulting from population growth. The dynamic nature of socio-economic activities in Moroto District such as agriculture, settlements and increased trends in irrigation technology has been well-known worldwide as common parameters triggering groundwater variability. Nevertheless, determination of groundwater levels for groundwater management and development purpose is a challenge due to spatial variability in levels across Moroto District. In this study, geostatistical technique in Geographical Information System (GIS) was used to analyze spatial variability of water levels in the study area. The analysis utilized ordinary Kriging method to predict the spatial variation of groundwater levels for 189 measured boreholes. The resultant groundwater level variation map generated using Gaussian model depicts change in groundwater levels varying significantly across the study area dropping by 12 m to 50 m. Significant variations of groundwater levels were observed in the western, central and south eastern part of the study area which are highly populated areas and therefore, the potential of overexploitation. Generated map can be used as first-hand information for decision makers and water managers in management of groundwater resources in Moroto District.