ESTIMATION OF GROUND WATER RECHARGE AT NCAM, ILORIN FOR IMPROVED IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT

The recharge rate is a very important parameter required in the successful development of ground water resources, as often, it is this rate that can be safely abstracted as safe yield from wells and boreholes. Groundwater recharge was estimated for 2 wells located in areas representing the different land uses at NCAM using the water table fluctuation method. The yield from sites A and B were 0.02 – 0.2 m³/hr and 0.008 – 0.03 m³/hr respectively while the peak scheme water demand required for producing dry season vegetables for 0.5ha was obtained as 0.002 m³/s. Achieving better understanding of the mechanisms that control groundwater recharge is crucial towards improving groundwater management.