IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.

3, Issue 03, 2015 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

Groundwater Levels and Lithology in the Junagadh District of

Saurashtra, Gujarat
Ms. Sujaya Magar1 Dr. M.S. Gadhavi2
1
M.E WRM Student 3Associate Professor
1,2
Department of Civil Engineering
1,2
LDCE,Ahmedabad 380015, India
Abstract— Over the past two decades, the growth dynamism zones of weathering, joint planes, cracks and fissures. Water
in Gujarat agriculture come from input intensive land use table in these rocky areas varies from 4 to10 m below the
and farm management practices, which resulted in over- ground level and the aquifers are mostly unconfined.
exploitation of groundwater.But apart from this agricultural The alluvial plains provide better condition for the
aspect, in this paper we have tried to focus the fluctuations storage of groundwater and a major portion of groundwater
of groundwater levels of Junagadh district of Saurashtra, exploitation activity is confided to these plains. The junction
Gujarat and correlate the same with the lithology. The between the eastern hill areas and the well demarcated
region of Saurashtra is dominated by Deccan Trap rocks and alluvial plains is the principal sites of recharge of
some part of it by Quaternary milliolite. These basaltic rocks groundwater. Though
are devoid of primary porosity, however groundwater is Maximum thickness of alluvium is around 500 m,
available in large quantity mainly owing to secondary good water suitable for drinking and irrigation purpose
porosity that is inherent in weathered basaltic rocks due to range from 5 to 35 m below ground. Groundwater at greater
profound columnar joints and vesicles at a shallow depth. depth tends to be saline. However, in some areas of north
The Quaternary milliolite with high porosity is found to Gujarat where water occurs under artesian conditions, it has
occur around the coastal belts of Junagadh district of been tapped form a depth of as much as 300 m, but below
Saurahtra region. The groundwater levels in 145 number of this level, the water is saline unsuitable for human
observation wells of the study area have been analyzed , in consumption and agriculture.
the pre and post monsoon periods of around twelve years The rocky table lands of Saurashtra and Kachchh
from the year 2002 to 2013 and correlation of groundwater are also characterized by more or less identical groundwater
fluctuations with respect to the lithology has been condition. However, within these tablelands, the areas of
developed using GIS platform. sandstone and alluvial cover yield moderator quantities of
Key words: Groundwater Fluctuations; Basalt; Quaternary water. In basalt, though the permeability is low, the
milliolite; Junagadh fractured, vesicular and weathered basalts, give good yields.
Zones of weathering between successive lava flows act as
I. INTRODUCTION aquifers. Groundwater level varies from 10 to 25 m.
Groundwater in some of the coastal areas and in the
The peninsula of Saurashtra forms a rocky tableland fringed
Rann of Kachchh is highly saline and totally unsuitable for
by coastal plains, a major portion of which is occupied by
most purposes. (Reference: Pg.no.20 & 21 Geology of
the Deccan lava flows. The central part is made up of an
Gujarat by S.S.Merh).Geology of Gujarat by S.S.Merh).
undulating plain broken by hill and considerably dissected The Saurashtra region contains only Mesozoic and
by various rivers that flow out in all directions. The highland cenzoic rocks, and stratigraphically, the sequence begins
provide a zig-zag outline and a rugged topography vaguely with Cretaceous to be followed upward by the Deccan
forming three almost parallel elevated areas striking ENE- volcanic, Tertiary and Quaternary as shown below
WSW connected by a NNE-SSW ridge. The eastern fringe Coastal deposits, Rann
of Saurashtra (that separates it from the mainland) is a low Quaternary
Sediments, Alluvium etc; Marine
lying ground marking the site of the former sea connection to fluvio-marine rocks with
between the gulfs of Kachchh (Kutch) and Khambhat associated
(Cambay). Today, it is seen as a saline wasteland Upper Tertiary
Aeolian derivatives (miliolite)
interspersed with marshes and lakes. To the north the (Neogene)
Marine and Fluvio-marine rocks
Saurashtra peninsula is flanked by the Gulf of Kachchh and ………………………Unconformity…………………
to its west and south, lies the Arabian sea. (Reference: Laterite
Pg.no.4, Geology of Gujarat by S.S.Merh).Geology of Paleocene
Gujarat by S.S.Merh). The quality and availability of ground Deccan Trap basalt
Upper Cretaceous to Lower
water in Gujarat is variable and depend on rainfall, flows
Eocene
topography and hydrogeological setting. It occurs in the and intrusive bodies
following three physiographic settings: ………………………..Unconformity………………………
1) Hilly tracts of the mainland Marine to fluvio-marine Uppermost Jurassic to
2) Tablelands of Saurashtra and Kachchh (Surendranagar and Lower Cretaceous
3) Alluvial plains Wadhwan Formation
On the Mainland, the hilly tracts in the northeast, ………………………..Unconformity……………………
east and south provide an erratic groundwater scenario. Sub-surface basement of granite Proterozoic
Groundwater accumulates only in secondary porosity viz. ………………………..Unconformity……………………

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 Groundwater Levels and Lithology in the Junagadh District of Saurashtra, Gujarat
(IJSRD/Vol. 3/Issue 03/2015/189)

(Reference: Pg.no.106 & 107, Geology of Gujarat A. Deccan Trap:

by S.S.Merh).
Most of Saurashtra region is covered by Deccan Trap Basalt
Location & Geographical area of Junagadh District
forming plateaus and conical ridges.Major rock types are
which is the study area forms part of the Saurashtra region
basalt, rhyolite, gabbro, granophyres, etc. (District Resource
of Gujarat State having an area of 8848 Sq Kms. It is
Map.Junagadh District, 2002). The Saurashtra Peninsula
situated in the South west corner of the Peninsula between
forms a rocky highland. The major portion of the peninsula
20.44° and 21.44° North Latitude and 69.40° and 71.05°
is occupied by the Deccan lava flow with lower cretaceous
East Longtitude. 1.2 Topography : The climate of the district
sediments exposed in the northeastern part of the area. ( D.
varies from hot to moderately hot throughout the year except
C. Mishra et.al).
in winter. The climate is humid in coastal belt. (The
temperature varies between 10.5oC being minimum in B. Tertiaries:
December and 40.2 oC being maximum in March.
C. The coastal plains of saurashtra fringing the trappean
The District receives rains from south west
highland comprise a Cenozoic cover consisting of Tertiary
monsoon from June to Sept. The average rainfall of last 3
and Quaternary sediments. (D. C. Mishra et.al).
yrs is 1283 mm.(Ref:
http://gec.gov.in/Publications/SOE/CHAPTER_2-3.pdf.) D. Quaternary Miliolites:
Due to its mountainous region and forest reserves, Junagadh Miliolite limestone popularly known as " Porbandar stone”
lacks major industries or plants. Earning sectors for is a finely Oolitic free stone composed of remains of
Junagadh are minera-based cement industry , agricultural foraminifer,” Miliolite' around which calcite grains have
based industry and power sector. been found. It forms low hills and cliffs along the coast and
(Reference:http://www.vibrantgujarat.com/documents/profil also extends inland. These limestones occur in some of the
es/junagadh-district-profile,pdf.). hills to a height over 1000 feet (305m) above m.s.l. indicates
A small NE trending fault across Haripur has been that the period of depression was followed by one of
identified in the area from satellite imagery and field upheaval. These are extensively used as building stones as
investigation for a length of 15 km which displaces E-W they can be easily cut by an axe when fresh, into any size or
trending dykes by 130 m. Its southern extension is buried shape. The blocks cut are known as "bella". Major part of
under soil as confirmed by GPR survey that does indicate Miliolites limestones are of high grade, and used extensively
presence of this fault in soil area (Reference : ISR Annual for the cement manufacture, as well as in chemical
Report 2007-08). A record of recharge wells including the industries. (V.N.Kulkarni 1985).
water levels measured in the month of May and October
maintained by the Geological Department of State Water III. HYDROLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA
Data Centre them since the year 2002 to 2013 has been
acquired for the study and the difference in water levels The District receives rains from south west monsoon from
have been found out and a map of fluctuating levels of June to Sept. The average rainfall of last 3 yrs is 1283 mm.
groundwater has been prepared on GIS platform and it has .(Ref:http://gec.gov.in/Publications/SOE/CHAPTER_2-
been observed that on an average the fluctuations are as high 3.pdf.)Junagadh is situated at the foot of Mount Girnar.
as between 26 to 30 meters. The drainage pattern in Junagadh city has two rivers named Sonrakh and Kalwo.
Junagadh is the dendritic in nature and it is going in the However Kalwo is facing major pollution problem because
North East direction. city sewers. Junagadh city has many lakes named Narsinh
Mehta Sarovar, Damodarji, Sudarshan Lake etc. There are
II. GEOLOGY OF THE STUDY AREA manmade dams around Junagadh named Willingdon dam,
The study area is dominated in majority by Deccan trap Hasnapur Dam, Anandpur Weir. These are the main water
which is followed by Quaternery milliolite and very few sources for the city. Apart from that ground water supply is
percentage of Laterite and Tertiary rocks as shown in the very widely available in the city so wells are scattered all
below map which is prepared using GIS platform as shown across the city. The data regarding the location of various
in Fig 1. recharge wells from the year 2002 to 2013 has been
acquired from the Ground Water Division , Rajkot and has
been plotted in the below map (Fig 2.) on GIS platform.
Around 145 recharge wells have been plotted.

Fig. 1: Geological Set Up of Study Area.

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 Groundwater Levels and Lithology in the Junagadh District of Saurashtra, Gujarat
(IJSRD/Vol. 3/Issue 03/2015/189)

Fig. 2: Study Area Showing Location of Observation Wells

Fig. 4: Average Ground Water Fluctuations and Lithology
IV. DATA COLLECTION The above map comprises the location of recharge
The data of ground water levels in the pre and post monsoon wells along with the average fluctuations in groundwater
periods also has been maintained by the Ground Water levels since the year 2002 to 2013. The intensity of shades
Division of Rajkot of State Water Data Center. The increases from the minimum intensity shown with yellow
difference in the water levels have been found out and a map color to the darker shade which ends up as dark orange
of average fluctuations since the year 2002 to 2013 has been color.The darker portion shows the intensity of fluctuations
prepared on rc GIS platform which is as shown below in is more in those areas.We can infere from the map that the
Fig.3. fluctuations are seen more in the deccan trap as well as in
the Quaternary Milliollite portions which is along the coast.
Now, looking at the geological aspects and properties of
these particular types of rocks , and referring to some
literatures certain inference has been drawn.
A. Deccan Trap:
In the Review of aquifier system in the in the deccan trap
area , Gujarat state Prakash Gupte has stated that, the
Deccan Trap rocks of Gujarat State contemporise to the
Cretaceous –Eocene age Deccan Trap Volcanism of Indian
Subcontinent, comprising of mainly basaltic lava flows with
subordinate volumes of intrusive bodies and relatively trivial
proportion of pyroclastics. Further he states that,the
occurrence, movements and resource potential of shallow
Fig. 3: Study Area Showing Avearge Goundwater depth aquifers in all such province is more or less similar
Fluctuations from 2001 To 2013 such that groundwater occurs in phreatic condition in the
On the basis of the above figure an inference has weathered zone and in semi-confined state in the fissures,
been drawn stating that ,on an average the fluctuations in fractures, cracks and lava flow junctions within the
groundwater has reached its maxima in between 26 to 30 underlying hard rock. Recent deep explorations of 300 - 600
meters in the region of Junagadh.Further inorder to corelate m depth zones in many parts of Saurashtra and Kachchh
the average ground water fluctuations with the Lithology , region has encountered water bearing deep fracture zones
the average groundwater fluctuations since 2002 to 2013 within Deccan Traps and struck Sandstones aquifer below
and the geological map of Junagadh as well as the location Trap rocks at places. The detailed exploration revealed that
of recharge wells of varying water levels has been plotted on the resources potentials of such deep aquifers are quite
a common platform considering the geology of Junagadh as variable in terms of quality and quantity for sustainable
shown in Fig.4 below. development. (reference page no.1 of Aquifer system of
Deccan Trap Area , Gujarat state , Prakash Gupte). Further it
is stated that, in many parts of Deccan Trap, mainly in
central and south Saurashtra, there are a large number of
prominent dykes that often stand out as ridges.(pg 7. Review
of Aquifer system of Deccan Trap Area , Gujarat state ,
Prakash Gupte).
Further it is also mentioned that the most common
basalt rock found in this region is fine to medium grained,
greyish black in color and is very compact forming high to
moderately dissected highland plateau. Relatively soft and
weathered light colored vesicular and amygdaloidal varieties
forms sheet-rock and at low level are covered by regolith.

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 Groundwater Levels and Lithology in the Junagadh District of Saurashtra, Gujarat
(IJSRD/Vol. 3/Issue 03/2015/189)

These are favourable water bearing zones for shallow depth B. Quaternary Milliolite:
dug wells.A unique features of Saurashtra Deccan Trap is Quaternary Formations occupy an area of about 86,680 sq.
occurrence of a variety of igneous rocks plugs and km. Their thickness in the Cambay basin is said to be over
associated numerous dykes – sills of later age that intrudes 300 ms in general; in north Gujarat, thickness of alluvial
lava flows of relatively older age. Moreover, dykes mostly deposits roughly ranges between 3-300ms. of varying
align with either of three main directions of regional composition.
tectonics trend, in ENW-WSW, E-W and NW-SE, and their Milliolite limestone with limited thickness occurs
origin to volcanic plug having high Bouguer anomaly along coastal areas of Saurashtra; alluvial and aeolian
indicate their deeper source (Mishra DC & et al, 2001). The deposits occur as one continuous alluvial plain from north to
dykes of varied rock composition and their wreathing south; they also occur as valley filled deposits in hard areas.
characteristic influence groundwater recharge and storage at In Cambay basin, the quaternary formations are
local as well as regionally (Auden JB, 1949). The series of predominantly composed of clay, silt and sand with kankar.
liners and parallel topographic low height ( 10 – 20 m) Towards the out crops areas in east and northeast, the
ridges rising above flat terrain of basalt in Rajula - Mahuva proportion of sand, gravel, pebbles and boulders etc.
region of south-eastern Saurashtra are interpreted as cone increases. The predominant zone considered to be 10 to 20
sheets, show gentle deep towards plutonic centre submerged kms. in width along the hills towards the alluvial plains. In
in Arabian Sea (Kshirsagar PV & et al, 2012). Such diverse the rocky areas, a number of buried river channels and
structures associated with Deccan Trap seem to influence valley fills also occur which become important from
not only shallow groundwater bodies but also deep aquifers groundwater point of view in the otherwise less promising
in many parts of Saurashtra.Talking about the hard rock terrain. milliolite limestone with karstic
hydrogeological characteristics of Deccan Trap Prakash topography form good aquifers; carvernous types make
Gupte says that the deccan trap rocks in aggregate form productive aquifer. Quality of groundwater in limestones is
comprise of series of individual lava flow and exhibits usually good. Dug wells yield up to 200 m3/day; However
distinctive hydrogeological characteristics on regional scale. along costal Saurashtra, groundwater in milliolite limestone
The individual flow have their primary porosity due to the has gradually deteriorated due to sea water intrusion. (Ref:
presence of vesicles, flow contacts and lava tubes etc., and 12_chapter 3
also have their secondary porosity, which is developed due shodganag.inflibnet.acshodhganga.inflibnet.ac.inbitstream10
to joints and weathering during later post depositional 60310201.
stages. Vesicles in most of the cases are filled with
secondary minerals, thereby reducing the porosity and C. Tertiary Rocks:
permeability. Each basalt flow, in general exhibits three A very small percentage of south east Junagadh is occupied
subunits, namely piped amygdaloidal base followed by by Tertiary rock formation. Here we can say that they are
compact middle part and upper sheet jointed with occurring around the coastal areas of Saurashtra.They do not
amygdaloidal or unfilled vesicles . The boundary between form good aquifer. Shallow aquifer yield good quality of
these subunits is gradational and relative thickness of each water whereas deep aquifiers yield saline water.(Reference
sub units is also variable. Some flow is also devoid of any of pg.no. 170 12 _ chapter 3
subunits and composed of entire massive part or exclusively shodganag.inflibnet.achodganga.inflibnet.ac.inbitstream
vesicular / amygdaloidal part. Light brown to pink coloured 1060310201).
vesicular basalt is a better aquifer than the grey basalt as the
latter is generally of massive character. Flow contacts D. Laterites:
(interflow spaces) in between two successive flows are often Belts of laterites as much as 30 miles long and a few miles
a better source of water supply. Groundwater flow through wide occur along the margins of Deccan trap of Saurashtra
these intervening spaces represents flow through tortuous and Kutch. (Reference:Pg.no213 Roy Chaudhary 1955). The
conduits. Similarly some of fractures and granular basalt belts are most common in coastal parts of Bhavnagar ,
rock dykes are intensively weathered and forms good Junagadh , Porbandar and Nawanagar. Much of the Laterite
groundwater bearing linear zones across the massive sheet is covered by younger alluvial deposits and in places the
type of basaltic terrain. He also mentions about the laterite is overlain by 2 feets of rocks reffered to as
denudation Topography of Deccan Trap as the basalt rock “Milliolite Limestone”(Reference : Pg.no.96 Geological
terrain is not only distinct from its plateau like topography Survey Bulletin).
but also exhibits varied landforms as outcome of continuous
denudation processes experienced by the thick piles of V. CONCLUSION
varied lava formation, over the years since its formation to From the above discussion we can conclude that in case of
till date, in geological past under tropical to semi-arid / arid Deccan trap the groundwater fluctuations are due to the
climate of Indian subcontinent. The basaltic terrain exhibits properties like primary and secondary porosity and the
high and barren rock massif and conical hills, dissected formation of dykes in this region of junagadh. Hence the
plateau, pediment zone and low laying plains and valley
hydrogeological properties of Deccan plateau is responsible
etc., covered by the transported erosion products which are
for the varied groundwater potential. Also in case of
formed by the weathering of lava flows. The
Quaternary milliolite , it can be concluded that, as this type
hydrogeological characteristics of aquifer system underlying
such varied landforms have varied groundwater potential. of formation is near the coastal belts there is sea water
intrusion in the aquifiers which is responsible for
fluctuations in ground water potential in that area. Hence the

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 Groundwater Levels and Lithology in the Junagadh District of Saurashtra, Gujarat
(IJSRD/Vol. 3/Issue 03/2015/189)

properties of rocks and their formations do play an

important role in fluctuating Groundwater levels in
Junagadh district of Saurashtra region.One major conclusion
can also be drawn from the above study which can be stated
as follows , as the groundwater fluctuations are seen to be
going as high as between 26 to 30 m we can say that the
recharge pattern in this region is quite good and also the
extraction of groundwater seems to be more in this region.

VI. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This paper benefited from the data which I received from
the Department of Groundwater, Rajkot for supplying the
required ground water data as well as the literatures which
were reviewed as mentioned in the references.

REFERENCES
[1] Geology of Gujarat by S.S.Merh (Geological
Society of India Bangalore 1995).
[2] Review of Aquifer System of Deccan Trap Area,
Gujarat State, Prakash R Gupte , Central Ground
Water Board, West Central Region, Ahmedabad –
380022, India e-mail: [email protected]
http://gec.gov.in/Publications/SOE/CHAPTER_2-
3.pdf.
[3] http://www.vibrantgujarat.com/documents/profiles/
junagadh-district-profile,pdf.)
[4] Geology of Gujarat V.N.Kulkarni Senior Geologist
Engineering Research Institute, P.W.D. Gujarat
State).
[5] Mishra DS & et al (2001). “Major Lineament and
gravity – magnetic trend in Saurashtra, India”.
Corrent Science, Vol 80, No 8, 25 Apr 2001
[6] Kshirsagar PV & et al (2012). “Spherulites and
thunder eggs from pitchstones of the Deccan Traps
: geology, petro chemistry and emplacement
environments. Bull Volcanol (2012) 74:559-557.
[7] (Fedden F, 1884; Auden JB, 1949; Wadia DN,
1975; Krishnan MS 1982; Merh SS, 1995)
12_chapter 3
shodganag.inflibnet.acshodhganga.inflibnet.ac.inbit
stream1060310201.)
[8] Geological Survey Bulletin).
[9] ISR report 2007-08.

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