Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash 

Industrial Minerals Area of Interest

By Thomas J. Mack and Michael P. Chornack

19C.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the geohydrology of the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest 

(AOI) in Afghanistan identified by Peters and others (2007). The AOI is located in northeast 

Afghanistan and covers parts of six districts in Baghlan Province (Dahana-i-Ghori, Dushi, Pul-i-Khumri, 

Nahrin, Baghlan, and Burkha) and parts of Aliabad District in Kunduz Province and Ishkamish District 

in Takhar Province (fig. 19C–1a,b). The AOI covers an area of 4,922 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. 

19C.1.1 Climate and Vegetation

Climate information for the Dudkash industrial minerals 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 

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 
1402 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

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 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1403

b 

Figure 19C–1. (a) Landsat image showing the location of, and (b) place names, stream names, and streamgage 

station numbers in, the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.

The observed total precipitation for the 2009–2010 water year for the AOI, as published in the 

Seasonal Bulletin (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 2), ranged from 255 to

300 mm (millimeters). The AOI received 41 to 80 mm of precipitation during February 2010, the month 
1404 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

with the greatest precipitation (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 3), and 19 

to 47 mm of precipitation in October 2009, the month with the least precipitation (Ministry of 

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 4). 

The Baghlan Agromet station is located in the AOI, in Baghlan Province approximately 20 km 

(kilometers) northwest of the center of the AOI. Precipitation data, both for the 2009–2010 water year 

and long-term average (LTA) precipitation data, are available for this station. Precipitation data for the

Baghlan Agromet station (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010) are shown in table 

19C–1. The total snowfall recorded at the Baghlan Agromet station during the 2009–2010 water year 

was 48 cm (centimeters). The 2008–2009 water year total snowfall was 33 cm.

Table 19C–1. Annual, long-term annual average, and long-term average minimum and maximum precipitation and 

temperature at the Baghlan Agrometeorological (Agromet) station in the Dudkash industrial minerals area of 

interest, Afghanistan.

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

Precipitation Temperature

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

Baghlan 20 630 300 274.7 0 84.1 nr nr nr

July–August May

1

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.

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).

A northeast-trending zone of Pistacia vera-Woodlands occupies the central part of the AOI. 

North of this zone along the Kunduz River is azonal riverine vegetation that transitions to Ephemeral 

Desert away from the river. The southeastern border of the AOI has some Juniperus-Woodlands. The 

vegetation types are controlled by availability of water and elevation. Much of the upland surface of the 

AOI is bedrock outcrop with thin alluvial cover. Azonal riverine vegetation was probably more 

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

land suitable for farming has been plowed and planted, especially along major stream valleys and some 

of the ephemeral tributary stream valleys. Irrigated fields are present in many of the valleys in the AOI 

(fig. 19C–2).

19C.1.2 Demographics

The population in the Dudkash industrial minerals AOI is concentrated along the perennial 

streams as mapped by LandScan (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010) (figs. 19C–2 and 19C–3). 

Population density in the areas along the streams ranges from 101 to 5,000/km2 and in a few areas 

exceeds 5,000/km2. Areas away from these perennial water sources are sparsely populated, with most 

areas having 1 to 50 inhabitants per square kilometer. The areas with concentrations of population 

generally consist of small farming settlements surrounded by cultivated fields. Some of the mountainous 

areas have an estimated population of 0 as indicated by the gray shading in figure 19C–3. The 

population density shown in figure 19C–3 has a pixel resolution of about 1 km2 (Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory, 2010). 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1405

Figure 19C–2. Historical streamgage locations, digitally generated drainage network, and irrigated areas in the 

Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.
1406 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 19C–3. Population density of the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.

19C.1.3 Topography

The topography of the Dudkash industrial minerals AOI is varied, with wide valleys along the 

Kunduz River where tributary streams enter the river (Davis, 2006) (figs. 19C–1a, 19C–2, and 19C–4). 

The low areas range in elevation from 550 to 1,000 m (meters) above sea level (asl). A mountainous 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1407

ridge whose elevation exceeds 1,500 m asl in places runs northeast to southwest along the southeast to 

northeast corners of the AOI. The AOI becomes more mountainous along the southeast border, where 

many peaks are higher than 2,000 m asl and a few in the northeastern corner are higher than 3,000 m asl. 

Figure 19C–4. Topography and generalized geohydrology of the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest in 

Afghanistan.
1408 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

19C.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 

Dudkash industrial minerals AOI is in the North Afghanistan Artesian Region. 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 19C–4 with the underlying topography to allow 

examination of the geohydrology in the context of relief. Figure 19C–5a,b shows the generalized 

geohydrology without topography for a clearer depiction of the geohydrologic units. Wells present in the 

map area (discussed in the Groundwater section) are shown in figure 19C–5a,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 “river channel; sands, undifferentiated; 

conglomerate sediments and rocks; loess and fine sediments; limestones and dolostones; sedimentary 

rocks; metamorphic rocks; and intrusive rocks and lavas” (figs. 19C–4 and 19C–5a

The river-channel geohydrologic group is mapped only where the Nahrin River flows across the 

outcrops of the intrusive rocks and lavas; however, coarse-grained river-channel sediments may be 

present in other, unmapped areas of the AOI. No information about the thickness of the river-channel 

deposits is available, but the area occupied by this geohydrologic group is limited. No wells are mapped 

in this unit, but it may be a significant source of groundwater adjacent to perennial streams. Many wells 

are constructed in the sands, undifferentiated geohydrologic group. The outcrop area is fairly large and 

covers areas of the Kunduz and Pashaqol River valleys. Information on the thickness of this unit is 

limited. The deepest reported well is 46 m deep (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, 2011). 

This unit may be a potential source of water to support mining activities, especially during periods of 

recharge or high flow in the perennial streams. 

). 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 

maps that cover this AOI are provided by Lindsay and others (2005) and Fridrich and others (2005). 

Outcrops of the conglomerate sediments and rocks geohydrologic group are generally restricted 

to the tops and flanks of the ridges and hills in the AOI. No information is available about the thickness 

of this unit in the AOI, but it appears to overlie the sedimentary rocks and the limestones and dolostones 

geohydrologic groups. No wells are constructed in this unit, and its characteristics in the AOI are not 

known. Limited outcrops of the sedimentary rocks and the limestones and dolostones are present in the 

AOI and, unless these units are more extensive than indicated and underlie the conglomerate sediments 

and rocks and the outcrops of loess and fine sediments, the potential for large quantities of groundwater 

to be present in these units is poor. The intrusive rocks and lavas geohydrologic group is present along 

the southeastern border of the AOI and extends outside the AOI to the southeast. This unit exhibits 

mapped faults (fig. 19C–5a) and, if fracture zones are associated with the faults, these zones could 

contain considerable amounts of groundwater. 

19C.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), is shown in 

figure 19C–2. A network representing likely ephemeral streams, generated with a digital elevation 

model (DEM), is shown in figure 19C–2. Names of major streams and identification numbers for any 

streamgages and ungaged streamflow estimation sites in the Dudkash industrial minerals AOI are shown 

in figure 19C–1b. 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1409

a 
1410 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b 

Figure 19C–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 Dudkash industrial 

minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.

Four streamgage stations are present within the AOI (fig. 19C–1b). Three stations are on the 

Kunduz River and the fourth is on a tributary stream, the Andarab River (figs. 19C–1b and 19C–2). The 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1411

Andarab River at Doshi streamgage station (Afghanistan identification number 14–5.R00–1A) is at an 

elevation of 860 m asl, has a drainage area of 3,705 km2, and has a period of record that extends from 

1 October, 1964, to 30 September, 1978 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The mean annual 

streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0092 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 and early summer and low flows in winter and early spring. A statistical summary of monthly and 

annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 19C–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 Kunduz River at Pul-i-Konda Sang streamgage station (Afghanistan identification number 

14–0.000–6M) is at an elevation of 899 m asl, has a drainage area of 12,610 km

. 

2

, and has a period of 

record that extends from 1 October, 1967, to 30 September, 1978 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). 

The mean annual streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0025 m3

/s/km2

The Kunduz River at Pul-i-Khumri streamgage station (Afghanistan identification number 

14–0.000–5S) is at an elevation of 639 m asl, has a drainage area of 17,405 km

. The seasonal timing of 

maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is high flows in the late spring and early summer and low 

flows in winter and early spring. A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this 

station is presented in table 19C–3. 

2

, and has a period of 

record that differs for monthly mean and daily mean values, as follows: monthly mean values 

1 April, 1950, to 30 September, 1959, and daily mean values 1 October, 1959, to 26 March, 1968 (Olson 

and Williams-Sether, 2010). The mean annual streamflow per unit area for this station is 

0.0037 m3

/s/km2

The Kunduz River at Baghlan streamgage station (Afghanistan identification number 

14–0.000–4M) is at an elevation of 562 m asl, has a drainage area of 19,740 km

. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is high flows in 

the late spring and early summer and low flows in winter and early spring. A statistical summary of 

monthly and annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 19C–4. 

2

, and has a period of 

record that extends from 7 April, 1968, to 30 September, 1978 (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The 

mean annual streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0028 m3/s/km2

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

AOI or its subareas to provide some probable estimates of flow for these locations. Streamflow 

statistics, presented in appendix 2, were calculated for point S25 (figs. 19C–1

. The seasonal timing of 

maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is high flows in the late spring and early summer and low 

flows in winter and early spring. A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for this 

station is presented in table 19C–5. 

b and 19C–2) on the 

Nahrin River in the AOI using a drainage-area-ratio method (Olson and Mack, 2011) based on historical 

flows at the Bangi River at Pul-i-Bangi streamgage station (Afghan identification number 

14–1.1L0–1A) (Olson and Williams-Sether, 2010). The Bangi River at Pul-i-Bangi streamgage station 

was selected as the most representative historical gage for use with this method because of its similar 

drainage-area size and its proximity to the estimation points. The estimated mean annual streamflow for 

point S25 (app. 2), with a drainage area of 1,497.7 km2, is about 7.86 m3/s (cubic meters per second). 

The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly streamflow, with high flows in the late spring 

and early summer and low flows in winter and early spring (app. 2), probably is similar to that at the 

Andarab River at Doshi streamgage station. 
1412 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 19C–2. Statistical summary of monthly 

2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

Maximum

and annual mean streamflows for the Andarab River at Doshi streamgage station (Olson and Williams-Sether, 

14–5.R00–1A Andarab River at Doshi

Minimum Mean

Month Streamflow Water year of

(m3/s) occurrence 

October 22.5 1969

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

11.7 1972 16.5 3.31 0.20 4.05

November 18.6 1978 10.3 1975 14.0 2.51 0.18 3.44

December 15.0 1973 9.40 1972 12.2 1.98 0.16 3.00

January 14.0 1973 8.49 1975 11.2 1.75 0.16 2.75

February 13.6 1973 8.13 1975 10.9 1.70 0.16 2.66

March 19.3 1966 8.12 1975 12.2 3.23 0.26 3.00

April 61.2 1973 10.1 1972 24.1 12.9 0.54 5.91

May 111 1973 37.9 1972 67.2 21.0 0.31 16.5

June 224 1968 57.7 1971 117 48.1 0.41 28.7

July 169 1968 28.3 1971 73.6 39.1 0.53 18.1

August 58.0 1968 17.8 1971 31.1 12.6 0.41 7.62

September 27.5 1969 10.9 1974 17.4 4.58 0.26 4.28

Annual 56.6 1968 22.6 1974 34.0 9.62 0.28 100

Table 19C–3. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Kunduz River at Pul-i-Konda Sang streamgage station (Olson and 

Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

14–0.000–6M Kunduz River at Pul-i-Konda Sang

Maximum Minimum Mean

Month Streamflow Water year of

(m3/s) occurrence

October 29.6 1970

Streamflow Water year of Streamflow

(m3/s) occurrence (m3/s)

14.2 1978 22.2

Standard Percentage Coefficient of deviation of annual variation 3 (m /s) streamflow

4.64 0.21 5.78

November 28.6 1970 14.5 1978 21.3 4.20 0.20 5.56

December 25.9 1970 11.5 1978 19.4 4.00 0.21 5.06

January 23.2 1970 13.8 1978 18.1 2.94 0.16 4.73

February 23.0 1970 14.0 1976 17.6 2.87 0.16 4.58

March 22.8 1974 14.8 1978 18.1 2.71 0.15 4.71

April 29.3 1968 16.7 1971 21.3 4.52 0.21 5.55

May 64.3 1971 35.0 1972 51.4 11.7 0.23 13.4

June 166 1968 41.8 1971 92.6 33.4 0.36 24.2

July 98.9 1968 17.8 1971 52.8 23.6 0.45 13.8

August 42.9 1968 16.2 1977 26.6 8.56 0.32 6.92

September 33.3 1968 15.1 1977 22.2 6.06 0.27 5.78

Annual 46.6 1968 26.0 1978 32.0 6.84 0.21 100
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1413

Table 19C–4. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Kunduz River at Pul-i-Khumri streamgage station (Olson and 

Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

14–0.000–5S Kunduz River at Pul-i-Khumri

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 46.5 1968 26.6 1962 34.6 6.70 0.19 4.50

November 43.6 1968 25.3 1965 31.9 6.23 0.20 4.15

December 39.9 1968 22.6 1964 29.4 6.17 0.21 3.83

January 36.6 1966 20.0 1964 27.5 6.05 0.22 3.58

February 35.5 1966 20.6 1964 26.7 4.70 0.18 3.48

March 34.7 1966 20.3 1964 26.0 4.27 0.16 3.38

April 53.9 1966 26.5 1961 36.9 9.55 0.26 4.80

May 139 1966 67.5 1964 95.1 21.9 0.23 12.4

June 261 1963 153 1964 224 36.9 0.16 29.2

July 229 1960 97.2 1966 143 53.7 0.38 18.6

August 81.8 1960 40.2 1963 56.7 15.3 0.27 7.38

September 44.2 1966 28.8 1963 36.5 6.37 0.17 4.74

Annual 74.3 1960 49.4 1964 63.6 9.31 0.15 100

Table 19C–5. Statistical summary of monthly 

Williams-Sether, 2010). 3 [m /s, cubic meters per second]

Maximum

Month Streamflow Water year of (m3/s) occurrence

October 43.8 1969

and annual mean streamflows for the Kunduz River at the Baghlan streamgage station (Olson and 

14–0.000–4M Kunduz River at Baghlan

Minimum Mean

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

21.0 1972 32.5 7.15 0.22 4.60

November 48.5 1970 27.0 1972 35.2 6.73 0.19 4.99

December 45.1 1969 25.9 1972 34.8 5.31 0.15 4.94

January 38.4 1970 26.0 1972 32.0 3.49 0.11 4.54

February 35.4 1970 24.8 1978 29.8 3.40 0.11 4.23

March 37.7 1970 26.4 1972 32.3 3.77 0.12 4.58

April 82.2 1973 22.0 1972 43.4 17.4 0.40 6.15

May 169 1973 58.9 1972 111 35.0 0.32 15.7

June 375 1968 79.8 1971 184 85.6 0.46 26.1

July 248 1968 25.1 1971 102 64.7 0.64 14.4

August 97.1 1968 15.0 1971 39.7 25.4 0.64 5.63

September 48.9 1968 15.8 1971 29.1 10.6 0.37 4.13

Annual 82.3 1969 41.0 1971 55.0 12.9 0.23 100
1414 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

19C.2.2 Groundwater

Approximately 275 shallow community groundwater-supply wells have been installed in the 

Dudkash industrial minerals 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 most of the wells in this database (fig. 19C–5a,b). About 

95 percent of the supply wells are less than 30 m deep and all are less than 46 m deep. The depth to 

water in the supply wells in the AOI is generally less than 15 m (fig. 19C–5a). The median depth to 

water is 7 m. 

Available well-construction information is limited; however, most wells are reported to be dug 

wells with concrete-ring casing. Some wells may be “tube” wells, driven wells with polyvinyl chloride 

(PVC) 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 19C–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 5 m. In most of the AOI, particularly in western 

areas, less than 3 m of static water is present in most wells. Shallow wells with little static water were 

found to be vulnerable to seasonal water-level fluctuations and becoming dry for extended periods of 

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

(Mack and others, 2010). The wells in a valley in the eastern area of the AOI are deeper than elsewhere 

in the AOI, with more static water (fig. 19C–5b), and are less likely to be prone to seasonal drying. 

The six groundwater-monitoring wells (GWMs 115, 116, 118, 121, 122, and 123) in the AOI, 

and the one (GWM 124) just outside the AOI, (fig. 19C–5a), are monitored by DACAAR for 

groundwater levels and specific conductance. Hydrographs of water levels in GWMs in and near the 

AOI, provided by DACAAR, are shown in appendix 3. The hydrographs show the date in week number 

and year, groundwater specific conductance in microsiemens per centimeter at 25° Celsius (μS/cm), and 

depth to water in meters below ground surface (bgs). The GWMs likely are generally constructed in 

alluvial material. The hydrographs for GWMs 115, 116, and 122, near the Kunduz River, show a 1- to 

3-m seasonal fluctuation in water levels; water-level trends in the other wells are either not apparent or 

less clear. Groundwater specific conductance in the GWMs in the AOI ranges from about 500 to 

3,000 μS/cm. 

19C.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 

Dudkash industrial minerals AOI (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, unpub. data, 2011) 

were conducted using DEM and natural-color satellite imagery (fig. 19C–6) and Advanced Spaceborne 

Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometry (ASTER) satellite imagery (fig. 19C–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 19C–6 were delineated visually, whereas those in

figure 19C–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 lineaments in the AOI have a northeast trend and likely reflect the 

regional structure. A subset of the DEM and natural-color Landsat lineaments has a northwest trend that 

may indicate a conjugate fracture pattern in bedrock in the AOI. Areas where lineament density is high 

(figs. 19C–6 and 19C–7a,b) potentially are areas where bedrock fractures are more prevalent than in 

other areas of the AOI. Lineaments provide an indication of areas that warrant further investigation for 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1415

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. 

Figure 19C–6. Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter digital-elevation-model data and naturalcolor Landsat imagery in the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.
1416 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

a 
Chapter 19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest 1417

b 

Figure 19C–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 Dudkash industrial 

minerals area of interest in Afghanistan.
1418 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

19C.3 Summary and Conclusions

Water resources in the Dudkash industrial minerals area of interest (AOI) are likely to be more 

available for mining and other uses than in other areas of Afghanistan. Relatively high precipitation and 

streamflow rates indicate that there is likely to be considerable recharge and, therefore, groundwater 

resources in unconsolidated and consolidated aquifers in the AOI. Water resources in the AOI and 

surrounding area consist of surface water, particularly the Kunduz River and tributaries, and, potentially, 

groundwater resources in unconsolidated and consolidated aquifers. Shallow alluvial aquifers in the 

valley bottoms of the AOI are likely to be a highly utilized groundwater resource. Most streams are also 

likely to be highly utilized by the local population and represent the primary source of water for 

irrigation. The diversion of water from the rivers, or new groundwater withdrawals adjacent to the river, 

to support mining activities would need to be closely monitored to ensure that the quantity and quality of 

the water resource remains sufficient to supply water for irrigation and to provide recharge to the 

aquifers that supply groundwater to the shallow wells for domestic consumption.

No information about deep groundwater in the AOI or adjacent areas is available; however, 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. 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 well hydraulic testing are needed to adequately characterize the extent and availability of 

groundwater resources in the AOI.

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