STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP)

FOR SPRING MAPPING

WATER BODY
NEED OF THE ADVANTAGES OF MAPPED/
SPRING MAPPING SPRING MAPPING NOT MAPPED
AS SPRING

SPRING
COMMUNITY
PARAMETERS
PARTICIPATION IN
TO BE COVERED IN
SPRING MAPPING
SPRING MAPPING

Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation

Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India
 Need of the Spring Mapping
Springs, being smaller in size compared to other water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, have
lacked a systematic database in the past. Due to the unavailability of data, these crucial water sources
could not be integrated into our policies and hence were least addressed, despite being the most vital
water resources of mountain areas. Therefore, comprehensive spring mapping is the first and foremost
step to manage the springshed.

" YOU CAN'T MANAGE WHAT YOU DON'T MEASURE "

Advantages of Spring Mapping

ü Facilitates the thorough comprehension of the current state of
springs.
ü Vulnerable springs can be identified based on the information
collected during spring mapping.
ü Springs having high social importance can be protected during
expansion of developmental activities, such as, road cutting,
tunnelling, etc.
ü Funds and priorities can be decided for implementing the
springshed activities.
ü Developed spring inventory can be used as base document to
assess the impact of springshed programme.

Water Body Mapped as Spring

Before undertaking spring mapping activities
an enumerator must be clear about which
water body will be mapped as spring. Any
ambiguity in identification of spring may lead
to development of incorrect spring inventory.
Springs in simple words can be defined as
Free Flow Spring
follows:
A spring is a focused discharge of naturally
occurring groundwater on the Earth's
surface.” Normally two different types i.e.,
Free flow and Seep type of spring are seen in
the field.
Seep Spring
Enumerator must consider the following condition during spring mapping:
ü Not all naturally occurring groundwater flows with diffuse/discreet discharge over a larger area can be
classified as springs.
ü Spring mapping does not include ponds and artificial Nature pools, viz. dug wells, artesian wells, and
groundwater that appears in excavations.
ü Pipes installed at their outlets solely to direct/guide their flow will be considered as springs. Ensure that
pipes are not connected to artificial tanks, pumping schemes, or used for drawing water from adjoining
or nearby streams, rivulets, or nallahs.

Water Body NOT Mapped as Spring

Diffused discharge developed Accumulated surface /subsurface

as a Step well runoff at foothills

Seepage water appeared on Groundwater under pressure oozing out

excavation of drain through a guided pipe as Artesian Well

A stream falling from a topographical Rainwater accumulated at hilltop

height as a Waterfall due to topographical depression
Spring Parameters to be Covered in Spring Mapping
The selected parameters for spring mapping will yield invaluable insights into springs and facilitate the
formulation of subsequent management strategies. The selection of these parameters will depend on the
purpose of the spring mapping. Once the parameters are finalized, it is recommended to adopt the mobile
application based survey through open-source tools or dedicated android applications given their
advantages over traditional paper-based methods in terms of efficiency, accuracy, and data integration.
ü Advantage of Mobile App-Based Spring Mapping:
Ÿ App works on less-typing-more-clicking based approach, that reduces the inconsistencies due
to hand-written/typed entries.
Ÿ Collected data can be analysed more frequently from the admin dashboard.
Ÿ Spring information can be made readily available on web-GIS portal more frequently while
reducing the cumbersome process of data entry.

Mobile application for spring survey:

ü Structure of the Information
The following points encompasses data collection structure for spring surveys, ensuring a
comprehensive spring inventory:
1. Identification particulars
A unique identifier for individual spring is essential to assign. Unique identifier can be on the
basis of either administrative unit or micro-watershed. The hierarchical may be as follows.
Spring UID S R 19 664 2926 307086 01
Spring
Description
LGD Code LGD Code of LGD Code of LGD Code of number
of UID Spring Rural in the
of State District Block Village
village

Ÿ Administrative Unit (Using LGD Code): State/District/Block /Village/spring

Ÿ Micro-watershed Unit (Using Micro-watershed code): Water Resource Region/Basin/
Catchment/Subcatchment/Watershed/Sub-watershed/Micro-watershed/spring
eg. S R 19 664 2926 307086 01.
 2. Spring description
This section may cover the following fields:
Locational information (Lat/Long/Altitude) with spring close and wide-angle photo,
Nature/type, ownership, hydrogeological information (typology/rock type/aquifer type),
topographical features, accessibility etc.

Geo-tagging of Spring using Mobile app Close-up shot Wide-angle shot

Close-up shot Wide-angle shot

• Shows spring outlet/emergence point • Shows spring in relation to surrounding
• Includes scale reference (measuring landscape
tape/ruler) • Includes nearby structures/ landmarks
• Captures flow pattern clearly • Provides context for spring location
Important considerations:
ü Ensure proper lighting (avoid shadows on spring)
ü No unnecessary objects (buckets, people, etc.) in
close-up shots
ü Use landscape orientation
ü Include spring ID in field notes/app entry
ü Avoid blurry or obscured images

3. General physical characteristics of the spring

This section necessitates the collection of specific information such as:
Ÿ Spring discharge, trend, and variability,
Ÿ Physical parameters (colour, odour, taste, temperature, pH, EC, TDS, DO),
Ÿ Months of lean period,
Ÿ Check list pertaining to the information of samples to be collected for carbonates and
bi-carbonates, major cation/anion, trace metal and isotope etc. for the lab analysis.
 Spring discharge measurement pH, EC, TDS meter (handheld)
4. Other information
The comprehensive assessment of springs requires the inclusion of various ancillary
information that can greatly enhance the understanding of their dynamics and contribute to
informed decision-making. This additional information encompasses several key aspects,
such as:
Ÿ Land use and land cover in and around spring and upstream,
Ÿ Resource threats: Stressor (Natural and anthropogenic) responsible for threat,
Natural stressor: Forest fire, Erosion, Climate on reduced rainfall change, etc.
Anthropogenic stressor: Unregulated development, road construction, etc.
Ÿ Usage of spring water, Dependency type and level, alternate sources of water,
Ÿ Information about the SSM project or community initiatives, if any, carried out for the
revival of the spring.

The Do's and Don'ts for spring mapping

Map during calm weather Map during heavy rainfall or monsoon season
Take clear photographs Include unrelated elements in photos
Measure discharge with sufficient Estimate discharge without measurement
quantity of water to reduce the error of
measurement
Involve local communities Taking discharge average of less than three
readings
Record any seasonal information Assume seasonality without asking locals
Document Spring structures accurately Confusing infrastructure with natural flow
Follow consistent protocols Spring mapping through paper-based survey
Make sincere interaction with locals Rush in data collection
Community Participation in Spring Mapping
To ensure the accuracy and relevance of
this ancillary information, enumerator
must actively engage with local
residents and stakeholders. Engaging
with local residents during the data
collection process promotes inclusivity,
integrates local perspectives, and
contributes to the overall accuracy and
relevance of the survey findings. This
participatory approach fosters a sense
of ownership among the local stakeholders and benefits scientific research, strengthens
community relationships, and empowers local stakeholders in the sustainable management of
springs.

Community participation is essential for comprehensive

and accurate spring mapping:
ü Why involve communities?
• Local people have historical knowledge of springs
• Communities understand seasonal variations
• Local engagement creates ownership of data
• Community members can become field partners
ü Key community contributors:
• Village elders and traditional knowledge holders
• Regular spring users (especially women)
• Village watershed committee members
• Local youth who can be trained for mapping Stakeholders and community members
Refer the Resource Book for SPRINGSHED MANAGEMENT IN THE
MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF INDIA for detailed information on:
ü Spring Mapping and Spring Classifications
ü Springshed Monitoring and Data Collection
ü Spring Hydro-chemical, Hydrological and Isotopic analysis
ü Treatment measurement for Spring Rejuvenation
ü Sustainable Springshed Management and Impact Analysis

To view/download the RESOURCE BOOK

scan the QR code or click the link below

[Link]