Abstract

The aim of this research is to determine availability of water for irrigational practice during dry season farming along River Benue floodplain. Water table heights were estimated by automatic piezometer instrument and manual measurements. The results of the water level measurements help to quantify the variable response of hydraulic head and also help to indicate the direction of water movement. The results from the two monitored piezometers show a switch in the hydraulic gradient. In the dry season, the water level in the river is higher than the surrounding area and therefore, the river loses water to the surrounding area. Conversely, in the rainy season the water level in the surrounding area rises and therefore loses water to the river. The relationship between the water levels in the two piezometers suggests a linear relationship when P1>174.25 m, which shows time of flow to river. It was also observed that, in the northeast, southeast and southwest the direction of groundwater flows are from the river to the floodplain, whilst in the northwest the direction of groundwater flow is from the floodplain to the river. Hydrological data demonstrate that River Benue is the main source for recharge of the shallow alluvial aquifers of the floodplain during the dry season period.

Keywords:

Alluvial aquifers, dry season, groundwater, irrigation activities , piezometer instrument, river Benue,

References

Competing interests

The authors have no competing interests.

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The authors have no competing interests.