Assessing Spatial Correlations Between Groundwater Potential Zones and Borehole Productivity in Lokoja, Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47514/kjg.2026.08.01.012Keywords:
Groundwater Potential, Borehole Yield, GIS, Spatial Relationship, AHPAbstract
This study evaluates groundwater potential zones in Lokoja Metropolis, Kogi State, Nigeria, using remote sensing and geospatial techniques. We analyzed Landsat 8 OLI satellite imagery, the Digital Elevation Model (SRTM), rainfall data, soil and geological maps, and borehole-yield data. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to assess factors influencing groundwater potential, including geology, rainfall, lineament density, drainage density, slope, elevation, soil, and land use/land cover. The results show that Very low potential zones 14.01% (46.65 km²), underlain by amphibole schist, Low potential zones 24.02% (79.97 km²), with granite and charnockite, Moderate potential zones 24.93% (82.96 km²), underlain by migmatite, High potential zones 23.75% (79.06 km²), associated with sandstone and siltstone and Very high potential zones 13.24% (44.06 km²), in areas of undifferentiated alluvium. Findings indicate that geology is the major factor influencing groundwater potential (37% weight), lineament density has a significant influence (18% weight), and land use/land cover has a moderate influence (5% weight). Strong positive correlation of 0.917 between borehole yields and groundwater potential map, with a prediction accuracy of 78%. The study findings can inform decision-making for sustainable groundwater management in Lokoja Metropolis. The study recommends that the government provide alternative water sources in areas identified as having very low or low potential to alleviate water scarcity. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of remote sensing and geospatial techniques in assessing groundwater potential zones. The results can be used to optimize groundwater exploration and management in the study area.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Babatunde Ibrahim, Benedine Akpu, Umar Shuaibu Kenchi, Toyin Samuel John (Author)
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