Page 26 - Haryana Water Resources Atlas 2025

Hydrogeology

ydrogeology integrates various disciplines to understand and manage N
Ground Water resources. It studies the movement, distribution, and quality
Hof Ground Water, including its interactions with rocks and soil. Hydrogeology W E
plays a crucial role in water management by studying the distribution and movement
of Ground Water. It helps assess aquifer recharge, such as rainfall and surface water
S
infiltration which is essential in guiding the extraction of Ground Water resources in a
sustainable manner. Further, Hydrogeology helps in understanding natural Ground Scale
Kms
Water composition, identifying contaminant sources and mapping the movement of 0 12.5 25 50 75 100
contaminant plumes in Ground Water. The hydrogeology of Haryana is depicted in
Figure 4, while the distribution of different hydrogeological classes across the
geographical area of Haryana is presented in Table 6. The central region of Haryana is
predominantly covered by older alluvium, while the southwest part is characterized by
aeolian deposits. These three categories, namely older alluvium, aeolian deposits, and
younger alluvium, account for approximately 97% of Haryana's total area. Older
alluvium refers to ancient alluvial deposits that have undergone various geological
processes over time. It typically consists of coarse-grained to medium sediments like
gravel, sand, and silt. The Ground Water recharge potential of older alluvium can vary
from moderate to high, depending on factors such as sediment storativity/specific
yield, soil infiltration rate, and the amount and distribution of precipitation.
Aeolian deposits, on the other hand, are composed of fine to medium-grained sand
dunes resulting from wind action. These deposits, including sand, silt, and clay,
generally exhibit a low to moderate Ground Water recharge potential due to their low
specific yield and limited ability to transmit water. Younger alluvium is a geological
formation characterized by recent alluvial deposits actively being deposited by rivers
and streams. It typically consists of coarse-grained sediments like sand and gravel,
which possess high permeability and good storage capacity. The Ground Water
recharge potential of younger alluvium is often high, especially in areas with
substantial precipitation and runoff. Overall, the hydrogeological characteristics
indicate favorable recharge conditions over 64% of the state's area, primarily in
regions dominated by older alluvium and younger alluvium. However, the storativity
and transmissivity of older alluvial formations are reduced due to factors like
cementation and grain compaction.

Table 6. Major Aquifer System

Principal Principal Major Major Aquifer Area % of Age (As per
Aquifers Code Aquifers Aquifer (Acre) Total Geological Time

Code Area Scale)

AL Alluvium AL01 Younger Alluvium 701778 6.4 Quarternary
AL Alluvium AL02 Boulder/Gravels 116881 1.1 Quarternary

AL Alluvium AL03 Older Alluvium 6600669 60.4 Quarternary

AL Alluvium AL04 Aeolian Alluvium 3262527 29.9 Quarternary

Sandstone/ Upper Paleozoic to
ST Sandstone ST01 Conglomerates 104773 1 Cenozoic

Upper Paleozoic to
ST Sandstone ST02 Sandstone/Clay 48680 0.45
Cenozoic

GR Granite GR01 Acidic rocks (Granite, 988 0.01 Mesozoic to Cenozoic
Syenite, Rhyolite etc..)

QZ Quartzite QZ01 Quartzites 88711 0.8 Proterozoic to
Cenozoic
Source: CGWB, INDIA/ GIS Based
Figure 4. Hydrogeology
Data Source-CGWB, India
Haryana Water Resources Atlas 8|