Estimating groundwater resources in an equatorial forested basin using geographic information system and remote sensing techniques (case of Nyong, South Cameroon)

Abstract

This article aims to produce a groundwater potential zone (GWPZ) map of the Nyong basin using an integrated analytical hierarchy process driven in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. For this, seven parameters (rainfall, geology, slopes, drainage density, land use and land cover, lineament density, and soil) known to influence the availability of groundwater were considered. The results obtained show that the Eastern part of the basin holds the largest quantities of groundwater. The produced map shows that this region includes high and very high GWPZs (yield > 6 l/s). It is essentially characterized by abundant rainfall (on average 135–136 and 131–134 mm), low slopes, significant drainage and lineament densities, and significant forest cover. On the other hand, the opposite region (west), which includes the low and very low GWPZs, is characterized by less abundant precipitation (on average 121–125 and 125–128 mm), significant slopes, lower drainage and lineament densities, and greater impervious areas. With a success rate of 80%, confidence deserves to be placed in the GWPZs map produced. It can be considered in water supply projects in this basin. Such work has never been done in this basin before.