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Abstract

The Haripur basin is located 160 km northwest of Peshawar; the area faces serious freshwater unavailability issues due to diverse depositional patterns in an inter-mountain setting of the tectonically active region. The present study incorporates resistivity, borehole, and geological field data to delineate the paleo-depositional environment for identification and extension of aquifer type. Vertical electrical sounding data was acquired by using Schlumberger configuration at selected locations. The results were later on correlated with available boreholes to generate lithologs indicating different episodes of deposition from the north, east, and west towards center and south of basin. The lithologie were later on correlated to generate seven geo- electrical depositional models A-Aʹ, B-Bʹ, C-Cʹ, D-Dʹ, E-Eʹ, F-Fʹ, and G-Gʹ. These models indicated proximal deposition towards north, east and west while distal sediments were deposited towards the center and south of the basin. Several confined aquifers were identified at a depth ranging from 25-80 m with the lateral extent of approximately 600 m. The Iso-resistivity maps along with geological field data confirmed the results of borehole and VES. The northern, eastern and western sides represent high energy conditions and maximum depositional activity with large particle size suitable for high yielding aquifers while the southern and central parts represent a progressive loss in depositional energy with small particle size associated with low yielding aquifers.