Groundwater Potential Zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2024 at 10 m Spatial Resolution

This study presents the Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZ) map for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, developed at a high spatial resolution of 10 meters. The mapping was performed using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach, specifically the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), integrating seven key spatial layers to identify potential groundwater zones. These layers include Rainfall, Landcover, Slope, Drainage Density, Geology, Soil Texture, and Lineament Density.

The GWPZ map was validated with field data collected from 300 random sample points measuring the depth to the water table. An Area Under the Curve (AUC) analysis of the validation results showed an accuracy of 70%, indicating a reliable identification of potential groundwater zones. This GWPZ map provides valuable insights for water resource management, enabling targeted exploration and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the study area.