Development of HIS to improve technical knowledge on the reservoir and hydrodynamic functioning of the Rmel aquifer (Morocco)
The majority of urban and rural centres of Low-Loukkos basin (Northern Morocco) are generally located on the coast and coastal plains. Due to demographic and agricultural development, increase in water demand has led to pressure on groundwater resources. This situation has caused significant drops in groundwater level and may eventually lead to a deficit in the water balance of the aquifer, as well as a degradation of the freshwater quality by seawater intrusion. The study area of Rmel-Ouled Ogbane aquifers covers approximately 305 km2 and is located in Low-Loukkos basin to the south of the city of Larache. In order to improve the characterization of the aquifers, we chose to organize all data in standard formats stored in a digital HIS (Hydrogeological Information System) database. This HIS database presents a varied menu related to reservoir aquifers and water resources. Data have been obtained from different sources on different supports and have been processed and organized in a single database with spatial coordinates. A Visual Basic application has also been developed for a better use and management of this HIS database. Several thematic maps of the aquifers and hydrodynamic functioning of water resources have been produced to be exploited by decision makers. These products of HIS database allowed to update the water balance and to build a good conceptual model of the aquifers conducting to the development of a set of groundwater numerical simulation models consisting in a mathematical model in steady state and transient flows, and a pollutant transport model to simulate seawater intrusion in these aquifers.