Hydrologic simulation and groundwater management of Wadi al-Lith in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

The groundwater is the main water source for water consumption over the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This study illustrates the groundwater status and management in wadi Al-Lith basin, in the Western Province of Saudi Arabia.

Using a two-dimensional finite difference groundwater model (GW8) a simulation of the groundwater of the basin is made.

The model was developed by the United Nations Organization (Water Resources Branch).

Several model tests and calibration were made to verify its ability for simulating the hydrological condition of the area.

The aquifer responses to various pumping rates with their elapsed time were illustrated, where the different aquifer hydraulics under conditions of steady and transient conditions were studied.

Three scenarios of water supplying for new land expansion and reclamation projects in the study area were performed to find the best planning strategy.

Meanwhile, the time dependent exploration curve was estimated and could be used for water usage plans.

The final results indicated that the stored groundwater and incoming water could supply Al-Lith City, the nearby villages, and the new expansion projects with enough water for domestic and agriculture demands under certain defined hydrological constraints.