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The construction of large-scale infrastructure projects like dams can substantially alter local hydrological systems, prompting concerns about their impacts on river water levels and discharge. This study was undertaken in response to the compelling need to investigate and analyze the potential implications of water scarcity, particularly within the framework of the Bisalpur Dam located on the Banas River. This study uses non-parametric trend analysis tests - Mann-Kendall (MK) and Modified Mann-Kendall (MMK) for river discharge and water level trend analysis, and Sen's Slope and Pettit's test for detecting changes or trends. Significant shifts in these parameters were identified post-construction. From 1960 to 2011, the Dam's construction led to a marked decrease in peak discharge (MK/MMK statistics Zc = −3.24; Pc = 0.001), with a Sen's slope of −21.51 MCM/year. Before the Dam's construction, the peak discharge reached a maximum of 7680 MCM in 1981–82. The gauge station's water level significantly decreased (MK/MMK statistics Zc = −3.46; Pc = 0.001) at an annual rate of −0.035 m/year. This level, peaking at 201.59 m in 1981–82, declined from an average of 196.04 m–194.5 m post-construction. The findings underscore the extensive impact of dam construction on local hydrological parameters. These results hold significant implications for future infrastructure projects, emphasizing the critical need for comprehensive environmental impact assessments to be conducted before project implementation. This understanding can aid in designing interventions with reduced environmental impacts, leading to more sustainable infrastructure development.

This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of hydrological patterns in the Kalisindh and Parbati Rivers, highlighting the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) as pivotal for bolstering regional water security. Employing an array of data sources, this research utilizes Polynomial Regression and neural network forecasting to dissect flow patterns, identifying significant virgin flow peaks in the mid-1980s and early 2000s for the Kalisindh River, and a notable peak in 2006–2007 for the Parbati River. Analysis reveals that the specific discharge rate of the Parbati River is diminishing at twice the rate of the Kalisindh River, with annual decreases of approximately 0.0038 cumecs/km2 for Parbati, compared to 0.0019 cumecs/km2 for Kalisindh. Furthermore, runoff volumes indicate that the Parbati River, specifically at the Khatoli Gauge & Discharge (G&D) site, experiences significantly higher runoff—28,137.912 million cubic meters (MCM)—in contrast to 15,795.094 MCM for the Kalisindh River at the Barod G&D site. The findings accentuate the necessity for science-based water management strategies to effectively combat water scarcity and climate change impacts. The ERCP emerges as a crucial initiative for sustainable management of the Kalisindh and Parbati Rivers in Rajasthan, underscoring its potential to serve as a model for sustainable water and river basin management.