Assessment of groundwater extraction in the Tadla irrigated perimeter (Morocco) using the SSEBI remote sensing algorithm

Abstract

In the Tadla irrigation perimeter, farmers supplement their irrigation supplies with groundwater, leading to water table depletion in the area. An additional concern is the deteriorating water quality in the area. There is no regulation to control withdrawals of groundwater, and no data are available to quantify groundwater use. The paper demonstrates a method based on remote sensing techniques and field observation data to estimate the ground water use for the 2006 hydrological year. Calculations show that for Tadla, average groundwater use amounts to around 55% of the surface irrigation water use. This is substantial, and requires immediate attention. Policy recommendations are needed to control the use of groundwater and to reach an integral management with the canal water. For exact calculations, data on groundwater levels are needed