Towards an integrated groundwater management in Hadat Al Sham area, Makkah Al-Mukarramah region

Abstract EN

The upper part of the alluvial fan of wadi Usfan is called Hadat–Al Sham, which is on the order of 100 km2.

This area is well known in the past with its agriculture activities.

The Agriculture Experimental Station of the Faculty of Meteorology, Environment and Arid Lands Agriculture is located in this area for serving agriculture development of Jeddah-Makkah–Taif area 15 years ago.

At present time, water problems threat the survival of the agriculture experimental station, existing farms and human activities.

This research aims at assessment of the current status of the groundwater resource at Hadat Al Sham area and to introduce integrated water management strategies.

Inventory of most water points has been carried out.

Field measurements for water level, water quality, have been performed.

Historical degradation in groundwater resources has been shown.

It was found that over abstraction of groundwater and lake of adequate recharge have caused drastic declines in groundwater levels and creates operational difficulties.

Integrated management strategies and management measures to improve the situation were suggested.