Influence of Rainfall Variability on Groundwater Recharge in Northern Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined rainfall variability pattern and its implication on groundwater recharge in Obudu. Data on rainfall was obtained from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency office Obudu Dam, while Chaturvedi Empirical Method was employed to generate data on groundwater recharge. Results from the analysis revealed that rainfall correlated positively with groundwater recharge (r=0.90; p>0.05). The long term means from 1982-2012 for the region was 2138.0mm. Rainfall of 2001 recorded the highest negative departure of 41.1 per cent below the mean (below normal), and in 2012, it recorded the highest positive departure of 56.1 per cent above normal. The result revealed that rainfall events below the long-term mean would result in low recharge which could pose serious challenges to water resources management. The study recommended the need to create an effective rainwater capture and storage system to reduce water scarcity problem during period of shortage.