Groundwater Potential Zones of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 2024 at 10 m Spatial Resolution

<p>This study presents the <strong>Groundwater Potential Zones (GWPZ)</strong> map for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, developed at a high spatial resolution of&nbsp;<strong>10 meters</strong>. The mapping was performed using a <strong>Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA)</strong> approach, specifically the <strong>Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)</strong>, integrating seven key spatial layers to identify potential groundwater zones. These layers include <strong>Rainfall, </strong><strong>Landcover, </strong><strong>Slope, </strong><strong>Drainage Density</strong>, <strong>Geology</strong>, <strong>Soil Texture</strong>, and <strong>Lineament Density.</strong></p> <p>The GWPZ map was validated with field data collected from <strong>300 random sample points</strong> measuring the <strong>depth to the water table</strong>. An <strong>Area Under the Curve (AUC)</strong> analysis of the validation results showed an accuracy of <strong>70%</strong>, indicating a reliable identification of potential groundwater zones.&nbsp;This GWPZ map provides valuable insights for water resource management, enabling targeted exploration and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the study area.</p>