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Use of remote sensing, GIS and groundwater monitoring to estimate artificial groundwater recharge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

This study aims to estimate artificial recharge of groundwater by using remote sensing technology, geographical information systems, and groundwater surveys. This study is part of the King Fahd project for rainfall and runoff water harvesting, within the premises of Alilb Dam in Diriyah to the west of Riyadh. Digital elevation models were obtained with the help of aerial photography from the year 2007. These models were used to delineate watershed. Average rainfall was calculated using isoheytal method, and the area of each of the storage lakes was measured using SPOT 5 satellite images from 2007. Fluctuations in groundwater levels, evaporation, and infiltration rates were used to determine the water balance for the purpose of estimating of artificial recharge. Artificial recharge rates were found to surpass natural recharge from rainfall. Recharge wells caused a reduction in the effect of evaporation on storage lakes and helped in supplying water to the groundwater reservoir. Moreover, 80% and 86% of the rainwater was found to be available for artificial recharge in Alilb at 2005 and 2007, respectively. The study recommends the establishment of strategic projects for water storage using artificial recharge wells, an increase in the number of monitoring wells around the dams, and the monitoring of hydrochemical changes in groundwater both before and after the artificial recharge. It also recommends the erection of a weather station in the northwest of Wadi Hanifa.

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Acknowledgment

The author would like to acknowledge Prince Sultan Research Center for Environment, Water and Desert, King Saud University for the help and encouragement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Center for Water Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science &Technology, P.O. Box 6086, Riyadh, 11442, Saudi Arabia

    Ayman M. Alrehaili

  2. College of Science, SGSRC, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia

    M. Tahir Hussein

Authors
  1. Ayman M. Alrehaili
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  2. M. Tahir Hussein
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Correspondence to Ayman M. Alrehaili.

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Alrehaili, A.M., Tahir Hussein, M. Use of remote sensing, GIS and groundwater monitoring to estimate artificial groundwater recharge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 5, 1367–1377 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0306-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-011-0306-7

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