Hydrologeological and Hydrological …
199
oil exploration wells in the northern part of the Western Desert made it possible
to assess the regional hydrogeologic setting of Dakhla Basin. Flooding irrigation is
one of the main reasons for water consumption in agricultural operations. Drainage
networks are one of the main factors that influence the distribution of ponds in the
depression.
7 Recommendations
It is recommended to put agricultural drainage ponds in the depression under environmental supervision, through the preparation of a monitoring system to get the
most benefits from those ponds economically, as well as the protection of agricultural soil nearby from deterioration due to the processes of salinity increasing of soil
and water.
For Mut pond, it is recommended to take some actions until completion of some
proposed studies:
a. Rationalize water consumption in agriculture which reduces the amount of
wastewater
b. Conduct a survey study to select a low area (depression) where wastewater from
the ponds is collected in a pond or a large pond for fish farming. There is natural
depression South-West Rashda at a level of less than 125 meters, while the areas
at Mut are at a level of about 150 meters
c. Water with low salinity to be processed and recharged in the groundwater aquifer
(Artificial recharge) or used in the cultivation of wooden trees.
As for the rest of the lakes in the oasis, there are a number of proposed studies and
experience required including:
Conducting a series of detailed studies related to this problem that includes:
– Assessment of the hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the groundwater aquifer (number of wells—discharges—groundwater level—productivity—groundwater chemistry—etc.)
– Determination of soil quality and characteristics and identification of crop types
with economic productivity.
– Study of the agricultural drainage network (quantity of daily discharges—wastewater chemistry…)
– Conduct a topographic survey to determine the areas of natural depressions that
can be used for drainage ponds to be at a level lower than that of agricultural lands
and drains
– Invest the surplus water of these ponds in fish farms to provide protein at an
appropriate cost
– Geological, hydrogeological and geophysical investigations to select the most
appropriate locations to recharge the groundwater aquifer with the excess water
199
oil exploration wells in the northern part of the Western Desert made it possible
to assess the regional hydrogeologic setting of Dakhla Basin. Flooding irrigation is
one of the main reasons for water consumption in agricultural operations. Drainage
networks are one of the main factors that influence the distribution of ponds in the
depression.
7 Recommendations
It is recommended to put agricultural drainage ponds in the depression under environmental supervision, through the preparation of a monitoring system to get the
most benefits from those ponds economically, as well as the protection of agricultural soil nearby from deterioration due to the processes of salinity increasing of soil
and water.
For Mut pond, it is recommended to take some actions until completion of some
proposed studies:
a. Rationalize water consumption in agriculture which reduces the amount of
wastewater
b. Conduct a survey study to select a low area (depression) where wastewater from
the ponds is collected in a pond or a large pond for fish farming. There is natural
depression South-West Rashda at a level of less than 125 meters, while the areas
at Mut are at a level of about 150 meters
c. Water with low salinity to be processed and recharged in the groundwater aquifer
(Artificial recharge) or used in the cultivation of wooden trees.
As for the rest of the lakes in the oasis, there are a number of proposed studies and
experience required including:
Conducting a series of detailed studies related to this problem that includes:
– Assessment of the hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the groundwater aquifer (number of wells—discharges—groundwater level—productivity—groundwater chemistry—etc.)
– Determination of soil quality and characteristics and identification of crop types
with economic productivity.
– Study of the agricultural drainage network (quantity of daily discharges—wastewater chemistry…)
– Conduct a topographic survey to determine the areas of natural depressions that
can be used for drainage ponds to be at a level lower than that of agricultural lands
and drains
– Invest the surplus water of these ponds in fish farms to provide protein at an
appropriate cost
– Geological, hydrogeological and geophysical investigations to select the most
appropriate locations to recharge the groundwater aquifer with the excess water