Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan 

Pegmatite Area of Interest

By Michael P. Chornack and Thomas J. Mack

24B.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the geohydrology of the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest (AOI) in 

northeastern Afghanistan identified by Peters and others (2007) (fig. 24B–1a,b). The AOI is located in 

northeastern Afghanistan in the Bargi Matal, Kamdesh, Wama, Waygal, and Nuristan Districts in 

Nuristan Province, and the Pech and Chapa Dara Districts in Kunar Province (fig. 24B–1a,b). The area 

of the AOI is 3,489 km2 (square kilometers).

Water is needed not only to process mineral resources in Afghanistan, but also to supply existing 

communities and the associated community growth that may accompany a developing mining economy. 

Information on the climate, vegetation, topography, and demographics of the AOI is summarized to 

provide information on the seasonal availability of, and seasonal demands for, water. The geohydrology 

of the AOI is described through the use of maps of streams and irrigated areas, generalized 

geohydrology and topography, and well locations. Where these data are available, the depth to water and 

height of static water in wells are documented. The results of lineament analyses are presented to 

identify areas where the rock may be more fractured than in other areas, which may be an indicator of 

high relative water yield and storage in bedrock aquifers. 

Afghanistan’s recent turbulent history has left many of the traditional archival institutions in 

ruins, and most water-resource and meteorological data-collection activities had stopped by 1980. 

Recently (2011), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), foreign government agencies, and the 

Afghan government have begun water-resource investigations; however, these activities and the amount 

of data collected are limited. This report summarizes the satellite imagery and climatic, topographic, 

geologic, surface-water, and groundwater data available. Geohydrologic inferences are made on the 

basis of an integrated analysis of these data and an understanding of conditions in other areas of 

Afghanistan. 

24B.1.1 Climate and Vegetation

Climate information for the Nuristan pegmatite AOI is based on data generated for the 

Afghanistan agricultural-meteorological (Agromet) project. Agromet was initiated by the U.S. Agency 

for International Development and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2003 to 

establish data-collection stations and develop country-wide agrometeorological services. Scientists with 

the Agromet project are assisting the Afghan Government to collect and analyze agricultural and 

meteorological data as they relate to crop production, irrigation, water supply, energy, and aviation. The 

U. S. Geological Survey (USGS) assumed responsibility for the operation of the project in 2005; by the 

end of August 2010, 87 Agromet stations were recording precipitation data and other parameters. 

Additionally, the Agromet project receives data from 18 Afghanistan Meteorological Authority (AMA)

weather stations. The Agromet project has developed a database that includes data collected at the 

Agromet stations over the past 6 years (2005–2011), data collected at the AMA weather stations, and 

historical data collected at weather stations from 1942 to 1993. Data collected as part of the Agromet 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1655

project are compiled annually by water year (September through August) and are reported in the 

Afghanistan Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Seasonal Bulletin) published by the Ministry of 

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock. Unless otherwise specified, the Agromet data cited in this report 

are from the agricultural season that extends from 1 September, 2009, to 31 August, 2010. 

a 
1656 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b 

Figure 24B–1. (a) Landsat image showing the location of, and (b) place names, stream names, and streamgage 

station numbers in, the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1657

The Paroon Agromet station is located in Nuristan Province approximately at the center of the 

AOI at an elevation of about 2,670 meters (m) above sea level (asl). Precipitation data for the 

2009–2010 water year are available for this station. The total precipitation recorded at this station for the 

2009–2010 water year was 1,354.5 mm (millimeters). The monthly high was 189 mm in February 2010 

and the monthly low was 0.0 mm in October 2009 (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 

2010). 

The Asmar Agromet station is located in Kunar Province approximately 55km southeast of the 

center of the AOI. This station is the Agromet station that is closest to the AOI for which 2009–2010 

water year long-term average (LTA) precipitation data are available. Precipitation data for this Agromet

station (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010) are shown in table 24B–1. 

The Dara Panjsheer Agromet station is located 120 kilometers (km) west of the center of the AOI 

at an elevation of about 2,050 m asl. Total snowfall at this station was 217 centimeters (cm) in the 

2009–2010 water year and 370 cm in the 2008–2009 water year (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and 

Livestock, 2010). Snowfall at this station probably can be assumed to be similar to snowfall in the AOI 

because of the large amount of precipitation recorded in the AOI in February 2010. 

Table 24B–1. Annual, long-term annual average, and long-term average minimum and maximum precipitation 

and temperature at the Asmar Agrometeorological (Agromet) station approximately 55 km southeast of the center of 

the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest, Afghanistan. ° [AOI, area of interest; km, kilometers; m, meters; mm, millimeters; C, degrees Celsius; nr, not reported]

Precipitation Temperature

Distance 1 1 Long-term average Long-term average Agromet Elevation from AOI 2009–2010 station (m) Monthly Monthly Minimum center (km) annual (mm) Annual Monthly Maximum and minimum and maximum and and month ° ° (mm) mean ( C) month ( C) month (mm) month (mm) (°C)

Asmar 55 910 977 540.2 13.12 December 107 April nr nr nr

1

Long-term averages are based on data from 1942 to 1993 and 2005 to 2010 as reported in the Afghanistan 

Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010).

2 Precipitation in June and July 2010 was 13.5 and 13.7 mm, respectively. 

The “Potential Natural Vegetation” described in Breckle (2007) is the vegetation cover that 

would be present if it had not been modified by human activity. Today, as a result of continued 

exploitation such as grazing, farming, and deforestation, much of the original natural vegetation is found 

only in a few remote areas of Afghanistan. The destruction of the natural vegetation has resulted in the 

degradation and erosion of the soil cover in some areas. Many areas exhibit signs of long-lasting 

desertification caused by human activity.

The vegetation in the AOI is mostly thorny cushions, subalpine and alpine semi-deserts, and 

meadows as classified by Breckle (2007, p. 161). This vegetation type is found at elevations above 

3,300 m asl. Where the soil is sufficiently developed between 2,200 and 3,300 m asl, areas of conifer 

forests are present; however, much of the upland surface of the AOI is bedrock outcrop with thin alluvial 

cover and very sparse vegetation. The highest elevations are in the northern corner of the AOI, and nival 

vegetation (growing in snow) is found above 4,900 m asl. Azonal riverine vegetation likely was present 

in the lower elevation stream valleys, but the trees have been harvested for fuel and building materials. 

Some native riverine vegetation may exist in remote parts of the AOI. Most land suitable for farming has 

been plowed and planted, especially along major stream valleys and some of the ephemeral tributary 

stream valleys, although little land in the AOI is irrigated (fig. 24B–2).

24B.1.2 Demographics

The Nuristan pegmatite AOI is sparsely populated, with most populated areas having from 1 to 5 

inhabitants per square kilometer range as mapped by LandScan (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010) 
1658 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

(fig. 24B–3). In a few areas concentrated in stream valleys, population density is between 51 and 

500/km2 (fig. 24B–3). More than half the area of the AOI is unpopulated as indicated by the gray 

shading in figure 24B–3. The population density shown in figure 24B–3 has a pixel resolution of about 

1 km2 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010). 

Figure 24B–2. Historical streamgage locations, digitally generated drainage network, and irrigated areas in the 

Nuristan pegmatite area of interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1659

Figure 24B–3. Population density of the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 

24B.1.3 Topography and Geomorphology

The topography of the Nuristan pegmatite AOI is very mountainous (fig. 24B–4). A mountain 

range with peaks that range from 4,800 to more than 6,000 m asl runs along the northwest border of the 
1660 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

AOI (Bohannon, 2005; Davis, 2006). The major stream valleys range in elevation from about 1,000 m 

asl in the southern part of the AOI to 3,500 m asl in the north. The stream valleys are deeply incised 

with very steep sides and, in some areas, the relief is as much as 1,500 m. The geomorphology of the 

AOI is dominated by glacial features in the higher elevations and continuing erosion by the streams, 

which maintains the V-shaped valleys. 

Figure 24B–4. Topography and generalized geohydrology of the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest in 

northeastern Afghanistan. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1661

24B.2 Geohydrology

The geohydrology of Afghanistan has been described in general terms by Abdullah and 

Chmyriov (1977, book 2). As defined in their “Geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan,” the 

Nuristan pegmatite AOI is in the “Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region that occupies the 

central part of the country with a predominantly mountain climate.” The outcrops and near-surface rocks 

in the AOI can be grouped according to their physical and hydraulic properties. The generalized 

geohydrology of the AOI is shown in figure 24B–4 with the underlying topography to allow 

examination of the geohydrology in the context of relief. Figures 24B–5a and b show the generalized 

geohydrology without topography for a clearer depiction of the geohydrologic units. Any wells present 

in the map area (discussed in the Groundwater section) are shown in figures 24B–5a and b. Generalized 

geohydrologic groups were created from a country-wide geologic coverage (Doebrich and Wahl, 2006) 

by combining sediments and rocks into major sediment- or rock-type groups of similar hydrologic 

characteristics. The geohydrologic groups in the AOI, ranked from high to low relative hydraulic 

conductivity (Freeze and Cherry, 1979, table 2.3), are “sedimentary rocks; metamorphic rocks; and 

intrusive rocks and lavas” (figs. 24B–4, 24B–5a). Doebrich and Wahl (2006) used geologic maps at a 

scale of 1:250,000, modified from Russian and Afghan Geological Survey (AGS) mapping, to generate 

the country-wide geologic coverage. The 1:250,000-scale geologic map that covers this AOI is provided 

by Lindsay and others (2005). 

The outcrops of the three geohydrologic groups cover areas of the AOI that are roughly similar 

in size. The intrusive rocks and lavas group crops out in the very high mountains along the northwest 

border of the AOI. The thickness of these rocks can be estimated from the amount of relief between 

valley bottoms and mountain tops. In some places, as much as 1,300 m of this unit is exposed. Faults 

have been mapped in this unit in the AOI (fig. 24B–5a); it is likely that other, unmapped faults are 

present in the rocks of this group as well. If the rocks of this geohydrologic group are highly fractured, 

they may make up a substantial groundwater resource, as inferred from the recharge potential in the high 

mountain areas. 

An area composed mostly of metamorphic rocks, with a linear zone of the sedimentary rocks 

geohydrologic group and scattered outcrops of the intrusive rocks and lavas group, is present in the high 

mountains along the western border of the AOI (figs. 24B–5a and b). There are several mapped faults in 

this unit. The metamorphic rocks crop out over a very large area just outside the eastern border of the 

AOI (figs. 24B–5a and b). Mapped faults, and probably other, unmapped faults as well, are present in 

this area. The area is mountainous, with peaks whose elevations exceed 4,000 m asl. The recharge 

potential in this area is good. If these rocks are highly fractured, both outcrop areas of the metamorphic 

rocks potentially could contain groundwater resources. Field investigations would be needed to 

characterize the groundwater-resource potential of the intrusive rocks and lavas and the metamorphic 

rocks geohydrologic groups in and adjacent to the AOI. The mountainous terrain could complicate field 

studies, especially the drilling and testing of boreholes. 

Outcrops of the sedimentary rocks geohydrologic group form two linear bands that parallel the 

long axis of the AOI (figs. 24B–5a and b). The larger of the two outcrops is located along the eastern 

border of the AOI. Much of the outcrop area of this group occurs at higher elevations and may have 

good recharge potential, particularly from snowmelt. Some northeast-trending faults are present near the 

northern end of the outcrops. If fractures or fracture zones are associated with the faulting, the potential 

for infiltration of precipitation would be high. Therefore, the sedimentary rocks geohydrologic group is a 

potential source of groundwater within the AOI. Field investigations would be needed to determine 

whether groundwater resources are in fact present in this unit. The mountainous terrain could complicate 

field studies here as well, especially the drilling and testing of boreholes.
1662 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

a 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1663

b 

Figure 24B–5. (a) Generalized geohydrology, mapped faults, well locations, and depth to water, and (b) 

geohydrology and height of static water in well casings in community-supply wells in the Nuristan pegmatite area of 

interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 
1664 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

24B.2.1 Surface Water

A network of major, mostly perennial streams, modified from AIMS (Afghanistan Information 

Management Services, 1997) and VMAP1 (National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 1995), in the 

Nuristan pegmatite AOI is shown in figure 24B–2. A network representing likely ephemeral streams, 

generated with a digital elevation model (DEM), also is shown in figure 24B–2. Names of major streams 

and identification numbers for any streamgages and ungaged streamflow estimation sites in the AOI are 

shown in figure 24B–1b. 

Three streamgaging stations are about 20 to 50 km east of the AOI. All three stations are located 

on streams that originate within the AOI. The streamgage nearest to the AOI is located in Kunar 

Province approximately 50 km east of the center of the AOI. The Landaisin River near Gawardesh 

streamgage station (Afghan identification number 1-4.2R0-1A) (figs. 24B–1b, 24B–2) is at an elevation 

of 1,135 m asl and has a drainage area of 3,130 km2 and a period of record that extends from 1 May, 

1975, to 22 July, 1978 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The Landaisin River is a tributary of the 

Konar River, and the streamgage station is located approximately 10 km upstream from the confluence 

of the two streams. The annual mean streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0170 m3

/s/km2 (cubic 

meters per second per square kilometer). The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly 

streamflow is high flows in the late spring through early summer (due to snowmelt) and low flows in 

winter. A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in 

table 24B–2. Statistical summaries of streamflow data for all available historical gages in Afghanistan 

can be accessed at http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/water.php. The Konar River near Asmar streamgage 

station (Afghan identification number 1-4.L00-4T) is about 75 km downstream from the confluence of 

the Landaisin River and the Konar River (figs. 24B–1b, 24B–2). This station is at an elevation of 795 m 

asl and has a drainage area of 19,960 km2 and a period of record that extends from 23 February, 1960, to 

30 September, 1971 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The annual mean streamflow per unit area for 

this station is 0.0184 m3/s/km2. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is 

high flows in the late spring and summer (due to snowmelt) and low flows in winter. A statistical 

summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 24B–3. 

The Pech River at Chaghasarai streamgage station (Afghan identification number 1-4.1R0-1A) is 

about 3.5 km upstream from the confluence of the Pech and Konar Rivers (figs. 24B–1b, 24B–2). This 

station is at an elevation of 790 m asl and has a drainage area of 3,855 km2 and a period of record that 

extends from 23 February, 1960, to 28 February, 1979 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The annual 

mean streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0152 m3/s/km2. The seasonal timing of maximum and 

minimum monthly streamflow is high flows in the late spring through mid-summer (due to snowmelt) 

and low flows in winter. A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station 

is presented in table 24B–4. 

Streamflow statistics were estimated for selected ungaged streams that may be prominent in the 

AOI to provide some probable estimates of flow for these locations. Streamflow statistics, presented in 

appendix 2, were calculated for point S31 (figs. 24B–1b and 24B–2) on a selected stream in the AOI 

using a drainage-area-ratio method (Olson and Mack, 2011) based on historical flows at the Pech River 

at Chaghasarai streamgage station (Afghan identification number 1-4.1R0-1A) (Olson and WilliamsSether, 2010). The Pech River at Chaghasarai streamgage station was selected as the most representative 

historical gage for use with this method on the basis of drainage area and location in Afghanistan. The 

estimated mean annual streamflow for point S31 (app. 2), with a drainage area of 1,533.2 km2

, is about 

22.48 m3/s (cubic meters per second). The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly 

streamflow at this station, high flows in late spring through mid summer and low flows in winter 

(app. 2), probably is similar to that at the Pech River at Chaghasarai station. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1665

Table 24B–2. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Landaisin River near 

Gawardesh streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

1-4.2R0-1A LANDAISIN RIVER NEAR GAWARDESH

Month

Maximum Minimum Mean

Streamflow Water year of

(m3/s) occurrence

Streamflow Water year of

(m3/s) occurrence

Streamflo

w 

(m3/s)

Standard

deviation

3 (m /s)

Coefficient 

of

variation

Percentage

of annual

streamflow

October

November

December

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

Annual

23.6

16.4

13.0

12.1

11.9

19.7

53.4

169

175

144

99.0

47.2

57.4

1976

1977

1977

1976

1976

1977

1976

1975

1978

1976

1975

1975

1976

21.8

15.6

11.4

9.7

10.3

14.1

44.4

80.0

150

112

69.9

35.5

49.0

1978

1978

1978

1978

1978

1976

1977

1977

1977

1977

1977

1977

1977

23.0

16.1

12.4

11.0

10.9

16.4

49.8

124

162

129

82.5

43.0

53.2

1.01

0.44

0.87

1.21

0.90

2.93

4.76

36.4

11.9

16.0

15.0

6.49

5.94

0.04

0.03

0.07

0.11

0.08

0.18

0.10

0.29

0.07

0.12

0.18

0.15

0.11

3.38

2.37

1.83

1.61

1.60

2.41

7.33

18.2

23.9

19.0

12.1

6.33

100

Table 24B–3. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Konar River near Asmar 

streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

1-4.L00-4T KONAR RIVER NEAR ASMAR

Maximum Minimum Mean

Standard Percentage Month Streamflow Water year of Streamflow Water year of Streamflow Coefficient of deviation of annual (m3/s) occurrence (m3/s) occurrence (m3/s) variation 3 (m /s) streamflow

October 251 1961 144 1963 194 35.2 0.18 4.38

November 176 1970 107 1964 135 26.9 0.20 3.06

December 161 1970 88.9 1964 112 21.2 0.19 2.53

January 137 1970 75.4 1966 97.7 16.2 0.17 2.21

February 123 1970 75.6 1966 89.7 13.0 0.14 2.03

March 167 1960 95.3 1963 121 22.2 0.18 2.73

April 373 1968 157 1962 263 65.7 0.25 5.96

May 593 1965 236 1962 437 94.4 0.22 9.88

June 1070 1968 503 1962 760 158 0.21 17.2

July 1200 1967 674 1962 925 155 0.17 20.9

August 1040 1970 644 1962 831 144 0.17 18.8

September 583 1961 361 1963 454 79.4 0.18 10.3

Annual 452 1968 277 1962 367 53.2 0.14 100
1666 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 24B–4. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Pech River at Chaghasarai 

streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

1-4.1R0-1A PECH RIVER AT CHAGHASARAI

Maximum Minimum Mean

Water year Water year Streamflo Streamflo Standard Coefficie Percentage Month of of Streamflow

w w deviation nt of of annual

occurrenc occurrenc (m3/s) 3 (m3/s) (m3/s) (m /s) variation streamflow

e e 

October 30.1 1970 6.74 1972 14.4 6.30 0.44 2.05

November 23.1 1970 5.94 1972 11.3 4.21 0.37 1.62

December 13.1 1973 4.01 1972 8.59 2.39 0.28 1.22

January 13.2 1973 3.50 1971 7.68 2.19 0.28 1.09

February 16.9 1973 4.24 1971 9.78 3.30 0.34 1.39

March 54.7 1969 11.4 1975 24.9 13.0 0.52 3.55

April 174 1973 42.7 1977 82.7 29.3 0.35 11.8

May 278 1973 75.8 1962 150 42.3 0.28 21.3

June 331 1972 96.4 1971 206 64.5 0.31 29.4

July 219 1965 33.5 1970 118 51.5 0.44 16.9

August 84.5 1968 17.0 1974 46.5 17.6 0.38 6.62

September 33.8 1967 9.17 1971 21.8 6.65 0.31 3.10

Annual 92.4 1973 31.8 1971 58.7 16.4 0.28 100

The number of perennial streams that either originate in or flow through the AOI indicates that 

surface-water resources probably are sufficient to supply the water needed to support mining activities. 

Determination of the water needs of downstream users would help to effectively manage the withdrawal 

of surface water for mining. The timing and amount of surface-water withdrawals would need to be 

closely monitored and carefully managed to protect the access of downstream users to adequate 

resources.

24B.2.2 Groundwater

Approximately 234 shallow community groundwater-supply wells have been installed in the 

Nuristan pegmatite AOI by NGOs. Information about these wells can be found in a database maintained 

by DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, 2011). Well-depth and static-water-level 

information is available for only five of the wells in the AOI in this database (fig. 24B–5a,b). Nearly 

600 supply wells are in the villages within 30 km of the southeast border of the AOI, and well-depth and 

water-level information is available for about half those wells. The hydrogeologic settings of and well 

characteristics in the two areas are likely to be similar; therefore, information for the wells in and just 

outside the AOI is summarized here. About 88 percent of the supply wells are less than 30 m deep, and 

99 percent are less than 60 m deep. The median well depth is 16 m. The depth to water in 90 percent of 

the supply wells in the AOI is less than 30 m (fig. 24B–5a). The median depth to water is 13.9 m. 

Available well-construction information is limited; however, most wells are likely to be “tube” 

wells (driven wells with steel or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing) or dug wells with concrete-ring 

casing. Wells are generally installed in unconsolidated sediments, completed a few meters below the 

depth at which water is first encountered, and equipped with a hand pump. Figure 24B–5b shows the 

height of static water in the casings of the water-supply wells (well depth minus static depth to water).

The median height of static water in well casings is 1.5 m. In the AOI and surrounding areas, less than 

3 m of static water is present in 95 percent of the wells for which data are available. Such shallow wells 

were found to be vulnerable to seasonal water-level fluctuations and becoming dry for extended periods 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1667

of time, or even permanently, in areas of the Kabul Basin where groundwater withdrawals are increasing 

(Mack and others, 2010). There are no groundwater-monitoring wells in the AOI. 

There is no information on the availability of groundwater in bedrock aquifers of the AOI; 

however, groundwater is likely to be available in fracture zones. Field investigations including geologic 

mapping, geophysical surveys, and hydraulic well testing are needed to adequately characterize the 

extent and availability of groundwater resources in the AOI.

24B.2.3 Lineament Analyses

Lineaments are photolinear features that could be the result of underlying zones of high-angle 

bedrock fractures, fracture zones, faults, or bedding-plane weaknesses. Lineament analyses of the 

Nuristan pegmatite AOI (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, unpub. data, 2011) were 

conducted using DEM and natural-color satellite imagery (fig. 24B–6) and Advanced Spaceborne 

Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometry (ASTER) satellite imagery (fig. 24B–7a,b). Lineament 

identification and analysis have long been used as a reconnaissance tool for identifying areas in 

carbonate bedrock environments where groundwater resources are likely to be found (Lattman and 

Parizek, 1964; Siddiqui and Parizek, 1971). Lineament analysis is increasingly used to identify areas of 

high relative well yields in other bedrock settings, including crystalline bedrock (Mabee, 1999; Moore 

and others, 2002). The lineaments shown in figure 24B–6 were delineated visually, whereas those in 

figure 24B–7 were delineated using an automated process and on the basis of the multispectral 

characteristics of the land surface (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, unpub. data, 2011). 

Water wells in bedrock aquifers generally are most productive where boreholes are located in areas of 

highly fractured bedrock. Many northeast-trending lineaments and northeast-trending faults have been 

delineated in the AOI (fig. 24B–5a); east-trending lineaments and mapped faults have been identified in 

southern parts of the AOI. Areas where lineament density is high (figs. 24B–6, 24B–7a, 24B–7b) are 

areas where bedrock fractures are potentially more prevalent than in other areas of the AOI. Lineaments 

provide an indication of areas that may warrant further investigation for optimal bedrock water-well 

placement. Lineaments may also indicate areas of preferential flow and storage of groundwater, and 

areas with a high density of lineaments may indicate high secondary porosity. Any lineament analyses, 

including those presented in this investigation, need to be corroborated by field investigations and 

additional data to confirm the nature of the lineaments and their relation to water-filled bedrock fracture 

zones. 
1668 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 24B–6. Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter digital-elevation-model data and 

natural-color Landsat imagery in the Nuristan pegmatite area of interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1669

a 
1670 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b 

Figure 24B–7. (a) Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter multispectral Landsat imagery and 

(b) lineaments and lineament density based on 15-meter multispectral Landsat imagery in the Nuristan pegmatite

area of interest in northeastern Afghanistan. 
Chapter 24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest 1671

24B.3 Summary and Conclusions

The availability of water resources for mining and other uses is likely to be greater in the 

Nuristan pegmatite area of interest (AOI) than in other areas of Afghanistan on the basis of the relatively 

high precipitation and streamflow in the AOI. Water resources in the AOI and surrounding area consist 

mainly of surface water. Where shallow alluvial aquifers are present in the valley bottoms of the AOI, 

the groundwater is likely to be a highly utilized resource. Most streams are also highly utilized by the 

local population and represent the primary source of water for irrigation. The diversion of water from 

the rivers to support mining activities would need to be closely monitored, particularly during low-flow 

periods, to ensure that the quantity and quality of the surface-water flow remain sufficient to supply 

water for irrigation and recharge to the aquifers that supply groundwater to the shallow wells for 

domestic consumption.

There is no information about deep groundwater in the AOI or adjacent areas. Some areas of the 

AOI, as indicated by generalized geohydrologic maps and lineament analyses, are likely areas for further 

exploration for groundwater resources. The quality and sustainability of water resources in the AOI 

remain to be determined, however. Close monitoring and careful management of potential new 

surface-water or groundwater withdrawals would help to protect the quantity and quality of the existing 

supply for current local water uses. Field investigations including geologic mapping, geophysical 

surveys, and hydraulic well testing are needed to adequately characterize the extent and availability of 

groundwater resources in the AOI.

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