Delineation of Potential Rainwater Harvesting Sites Using a GIS-Based Decision Support System in a Semi-Arid Region of Pakistan: A Study of District Dir Lower, Pakistan

Abstract

Water is considered one of the most remarkable natural resources essential for life. Due to multiple usages and the severe shortage of water in some parts of the world, rainwater harvesting (RWH) methods have been recommended for alleviating drought conditions. The prime purpose of this study is to explore suitable locations where rainwater harvesting structures can be implemented for efficient water management in district Dir Lower. Geographical information system (GIS) with a multi-criteria decision analysis approach (MCDA) was utilized for RWH site selection, based on soil texture, land use land cover (LULC), rainfall, runoff potential, drainage density, slope, lineament density, and geology. Weighted overlay analysis was used for identifying potential RWH locations by applying weight to each influencing parameter. Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to allocate weight to each criterion. The study area was classified into five suitability zones; highly suitable, suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable, and not suitable. The weighted overlay analysis suggests that 5.51%, 52.19%, 31.12%, 8.20%, and 2.98% of the study area is not suitable, less suitable, moderately suitable, suitable, and highly suitable for rainwater harvesting respectively