Hydrologeological and Hydrological
Conditions of Dakhla Oasis
Salwa F. Elbeih and Elsayed A. Zaghloul
Abstract Irrigation, domestic and industrial water requirements are increasing due
to the population growth. The flood irrigation practices and the low water-use efficiency are the main obstcals for the potential for agricultural expansion. This chapter
reviews previous investigations concerning the hydrogeologic conditions of the deep
groundwater aquifer systems in Dakhla Oasis. In addition, it highlights distribution of
drainage networks in the depression and the different lakes and ponds in the oasis and
how their water is utilized. At the end of the chapter a number of recommendations
are added to help in the better and efficient usage of the available water resources
that will help in the development of the oasis and attract more investment and jobs
opportunities for youth and young investors.
Keywords Nubian Sandstone aquifer · Aquifer geometry · Water quality ·
Drainage water · Irrigation system
1 Introduction
Egypt’s Nile water source is under increasing stress due to over populations and
the developmental projects. Irrigation demands are increasing and the domestic and
industrial water needs reqirements are also increasing due to the population and industrial growth. Although, the Nubian Sandstone aquifer is a non-renewable aquifer, it
holds large volumes of freshwater storage, estimated by Ezzat (1974) to be of 2 ×
10
14 m
3 , but could not be sufficient to provide a groundwater resource for sustainable
development in the Western Desert and Egypt as well.
S. F. Elbeih
Engineering Applications and Water Division, National Authority for Remote
Sensing and Space Sciences, 23 Joseph Tito st., El-Nozha El-Gedida, Cairo, Egypt
e-mail: saelbeih@narss.sci.eg; saelbeih@gmail.com
E. A. Zaghloul (B)
Geological Applications and Mineral Resources Division, National Authority for Remote
Sensing and Space Sciences, 23 Joseph Tito Street, El-Nozha El-Gedida, Cairo, Egypt
e-mail: eazaghloul@narss.sci.eg; elsayedzaghloul@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
E. Iwasaki et al. (eds.), Sustainable Water Solutions in the Western Desert,
Egypt: Dakhla Oasis, Earth and Environmental Sciences Library,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64005-7_11
185
Conditions of Dakhla Oasis
Salwa F. Elbeih and Elsayed A. Zaghloul
Abstract Irrigation, domestic and industrial water requirements are increasing due
to the population growth. The flood irrigation practices and the low water-use efficiency are the main obstcals for the potential for agricultural expansion. This chapter
reviews previous investigations concerning the hydrogeologic conditions of the deep
groundwater aquifer systems in Dakhla Oasis. In addition, it highlights distribution of
drainage networks in the depression and the different lakes and ponds in the oasis and
how their water is utilized. At the end of the chapter a number of recommendations
are added to help in the better and efficient usage of the available water resources
that will help in the development of the oasis and attract more investment and jobs
opportunities for youth and young investors.
Keywords Nubian Sandstone aquifer · Aquifer geometry · Water quality ·
Drainage water · Irrigation system
1 Introduction
Egypt’s Nile water source is under increasing stress due to over populations and
the developmental projects. Irrigation demands are increasing and the domestic and
industrial water needs reqirements are also increasing due to the population and industrial growth. Although, the Nubian Sandstone aquifer is a non-renewable aquifer, it
holds large volumes of freshwater storage, estimated by Ezzat (1974) to be of 2 ×
10
14 m
3 , but could not be sufficient to provide a groundwater resource for sustainable
development in the Western Desert and Egypt as well.
S. F. Elbeih
Engineering Applications and Water Division, National Authority for Remote
Sensing and Space Sciences, 23 Joseph Tito st., El-Nozha El-Gedida, Cairo, Egypt
e-mail: saelbeih@narss.sci.eg; saelbeih@gmail.com
E. A. Zaghloul (B)
Geological Applications and Mineral Resources Division, National Authority for Remote
Sensing and Space Sciences, 23 Joseph Tito Street, El-Nozha El-Gedida, Cairo, Egypt
e-mail: eazaghloul@narss.sci.eg; elsayedzaghloul@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
E. Iwasaki et al. (eds.), Sustainable Water Solutions in the Western Desert,
Egypt: Dakhla Oasis, Earth and Environmental Sciences Library,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-64005-7_11
185