Preparation and assessment of ground water depth and salinity maps of Aksu plain using geographic information systems

In this study, monthly groundwater level data in right and left bank irrigation area of Aksu Plain in the year of 2008 was monitored in ground water observation wells as many as 107 dug out by State Hydraulic Works XIII. Regional Office. Also, the electrical conductivity of groundwater was measured in August when the irrigation requirement was peak. The data obtained are processed by computer program ArcGIS 9.2.The maps that show spatial and temporal distribution of ground water level are formed. The highest level of ground water was found to be in the month of December. Observations revealed that ground water level in the period from November to May was shallow and mostly affected by rainfall. In the period from June to October, a drop in the ground water level was observed. However, in July where the ground water level was lowest, the depth of water was found to be between 180-400 cm. The electrical conductivity of the ground water in almost all of the research area was measured between 0-750 µmhos/cm in August when the amount of irrigation was peak. Lower level salinity might be higher amount of rainfall recorded this year and machine work intensively continued in the area. To completely eliminate the problem of salinity, ground water depth and salinity levels should be continuously observed.