Hydrogeological Study and Water Resource Evaluation of the Southern Rifian Ridges, North of Meknes, Morocco

Abstract

Groundwater management is crucial to reducing environmental risks and promoting sustainable development. This paper presents a study of the hydrogeology of the South Rifain ridges in Morocco. This is the first time in the region that this study has combined hydrogeology and structural geology to identify reservoirs and their geometry and hydrodynamic characteristics. This study was based on hydrogeological data and geological investigations, including lithological diversity and fracturing. These reservoirs, constituting relatively discontinuous aquifers, show variations in unit productivity, ranging from 0 to 20 l/s. This productivity is influenced by several factors, including the reservoir's fracturing and karstification of the reservoirs, their recharge area, and the subsurface drainage that controls them. In principle, recharge areas for these reservoirs are located. The Takerma-Kannoufa unit, the Jbel Dhar N'sour, and the Jbel Nesrani supply areas are essential for the Lias reservoir, while the Jbel Zerhoun supply area mainly supplies the Bajocian reservoir. Water quality in the different aquifers respects drinking water standards, but some points have been altered. The results of this work contribute to identifying the importance of these reservoirs and water quality, thus enabling appropriate management and planning of water resources for water users and decision-makers.