Climatic and hydrogeologic characteristics of Wadi al-Lith in Saudi Arabia

Abstract EN

-The groundwater represents the main water source all over the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where, intensive quantitative and qualitative studies are urgently needed.

Wadi Al-Lith basin is chosen as one of Tihama basins, that run in the Western Arabian Shield.

In this study an evaluation of the groundwater aquifer of the basin was made, including the hydrogeological and the climatological characteristics that are required to estimate the hydrological characteristics of wadi Al-Lith.

The different conditions of wadi discharges and recharge were determined.

The calculated groundwater gradients were 0.0042, 0.008, and 0.009 m/m in the three main wadi tributaries.

The average hydraulic conductivity and specific yield reached 120 m/d and 0.25, respectively.

The recharge ratio due to rainfall was calculated utilizing the observed soil moisture distribution after infiltration.

The calculated recharge ratios downward the top four soil layers were 40%, 30%, 4%, and 0.0 % at depths 0.0 m, 1 m, 2 m, and 3 m, underground surface, respectively.

These ratios could be used for modeling of groundwater status of the basin.