Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Geoinformatics application for assessing the potential of rainwater harvesting in arid regions. Case study: El Daba’a area, Northwestern Coast of Egypt

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Arabian Journal of Geosciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the light of the current situation of water resources in Egypt, where it has a deficit in those resources, the rainwater harvesting and assessment of its potentialities became necessary. In the present study, an attempt is made to define a decision based on scientific approach for identifying the most appropriate sites for rainwater harvesting. This approach is based on GIS data layers which include DEM, landforms, geologic setting, watershed area, rainfall amounts, drainage lines, morphometric parameters, flow accumulation, flow direction, slope, and surface runoff. It also includes a verification of the site suitability through field investigations. El Daba’a area has been chosen because it has a lack of water for agriculture and drinking purposes. In addition, this area has special interest because of a planned nuclear power plant there. The obtained results reveal that the study area contains eight basins which have slightly intensive drainage network. The morphometric analyses of the studied basins reveal their opportunities for surface runoff. Three of them are showing high hazard degrees. These basins have actual runoff (Q) ranges between 16.5 and 25 mm annually resulted from average rainfall of 164 mm. Therefore, management of rainwater harvesting and protections from flash floods were recommended. Many rainwater harvesting structures, for example concert dams, alternative earth dikes, surface water reservoirs, and cisterns, should be established.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aljenid S, Mohamed W (2007) Developing a GIS to assess the ecological characteristics of El-Daba’a region, Egypt. Middle East Spatial Technology (MEST2007) Conference. Available from: http://www.gisdevelopment.net/procees/day2/P41.pdf

  • Bajabaa S, Masoud M, Al-Amri N (2013) Flash flood hazard mapping based on quantitative hydrology, geomorphology and GIS techniques (case study of Wadi Al Lith, Saudi Arabia). Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-013-0941-2

    Google Scholar 

  • Barron J, Rockstrom J, Gichuki F, Hatibu N (2003) Dry spell analysis and maize yields for two semi-arid locations in East Africa. Agric For Meteorol 117:23–37

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bubenzer O, Bolten A (2008) The use of new elevation data (SRTM/ASTER) for the detection and morphometric quantification of Pleistocene megadunes (draa) in the eastern Sahara and the southern Namib. Geomorphology 102:221–231

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Clarke J (1966) Morphometry from maps, essays in geomorphology. Elsevier Publication Company, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Conoco (1986) Geological map of Egypt, scale 1:500,000 GPC, sheets no. NH35NE

  • Davis JC (1975) Statics and data analysis in geology. Wiley, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • DeBano LF (2000) Water repellency in soils: a historical overview. Journal of Hydrology (231/232), 4–32

  • ECMWF (2010) European centre for medium-range weather forecast, El Daba’a Field-Monthly met-ocean data

  • El Shamy I (1968) The geology of soil and water resources in El Daba’a area. M.Sc. Thesis, Fac. Sc., Cairo Univ., Egypt

  • El-Awar FA, Makke MK, Zurayk RA, Mohtar RH (2000) A hydro-spatial hierarchical method for siting water harvesting reservoirs in dry areas. Appl Eng Agric 16(4):395–404

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Raey M (1998) Framework of integrated coastal area management of the Fuka-Matrouh area, Egypt, PAP/RAC-37-1995

  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), (2003) Review of world water resources by country. Water Reports 23, FAO, Rome, Italy

  • Farr TG, Kobrick M (2000) Shuttle radar topography mission produces a wealth of data. EOS Trans Am Geophys Union 81:583–585

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foody G, Ghoneim E, Arnell N (2004) Predicting locations sensitive to flash flooding in an arid environment. J Hydrol 292:48–58

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory KJ, Walling DE (1973) Drainage basin form and process. John Wiley and Sons, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghoneim E, El-Baz F (2007) Dem-optical-radar data integration for paleo-hydrological mapping in the northern Darfur, Sudan: implication for groundwater exploration. Int J Remote Sens 28(22):5001–5018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ghoneim E, Foody G (2012) Assessing flash flood hazard in an arid mountainous region. Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-011-0411-7

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghoneim E (2008) Optimum groundwater locations in the northern United Arab Emirates. Int J Remote Sens 29(20):5879–5906

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagget P (1956) Locational analysis in human geography. Edward Arnold Ltd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammad FA (1972) The geology of soils and water resources in the area between Ras El Hekma and Ras El Rum (Western Mediterranean Littoral Zone, Egypt). Ph.D., Fac. Sci., Cairo Univ., Egypt

  • Horton RE (1932) Drainage basin characteristics. Trans Am Geophys Union 13:350–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Horton RE (1945) Erosional development of stream and their drainage basins. Geol Soc Am Bull 56:275–330

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IDSC (2010) Census survey for Matrouh Governorate. Information & Decision Support Center, Egyptian Cabinet, El Dab’a area

    Google Scholar 

  • Kronen M (1994) Water harvesting and conservation techniques for smallholder crop production systems. Soil Tillage Res 32(1):71–86

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lancaster B (2013) Rainwater harvesting for drylands and beyond, Volume 1, 2nd Edition: Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life and Landscape. Rainsource Press; Revised second edition

  • Li XY, Gong JD (2002) Compacted catchment with local earth materials for rainwater harvesting in the semiarid region of China. J Hydrol 257(1–4):134–144

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li FR, Cook S, Geballe GT, Burch WR (2000) Rainwater harvesting agriculture: an integrated system for water management on rainfed land in China’s semiarid areas. Ambiology 29(8):477–483

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud SH (2014) Investigation of rainfall–runoff modeling for Egypt by using remote sensing and GIS integration. Catena 120:111–121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud SH, Alazba AA (2014) The potential of in-situ rainwater harvesting in arid regions: developing a methodology to identify suitable areas using GIS-based decision support system. Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-014-1535-3

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud SH, Mohammad FS, Alazba AA (2014a) Determination of potential runoff coefficient for Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci 7(5):2041–2057

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud SH, Mohammad FS, Alazba AA (2014b) Delineation of potential sites for water harvesting structures using GIS-based decision support system. Hydrol Res. doi:10.2166/nh.2014.054

    Google Scholar 

  • Majure JJ, Soenksen PJ (1991) Using a geographic information system to determine physical basin characteristics for use in flood frequency equations. In: Balthrop BH, Terry JE (eds), U.S. Geological Survey National Computer Technology Meeting-Proceedings, Phoenix, Arizona, November 14–18, 1988: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 90-4162: 31–40

  • Mbilinyi BP, Tumbo SD, Mahoo HF, Senkondo EM, Hatibu N (2005) Indigenous knowledge as decision support tool in rainwater harvesting. Phys Chem Earth A/B/C 30(11–16):792–798

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melton MN (1957) An analysis of the relations among elements of climate surface properties and geomorphology. Project NR 389-042 Tech. Rept. II, Columbia Univ., and Dept. of Geology, On Geog., R., Branch, New York

  • Miller VG (1953) A quantitative geomorphic study of the drainage basin characteristics in the Clinch Mountain area, Virginia and Tennessee. Colombia University, Geology Dept., Project NR389-042, Technical Report No. 3

  • Misak R (1974) Geomorphology and geology of the area between El Daba’a and Ras El Hekma, Western Mediterranean coastal zone, Egypt. M. Sc. Thesis, Ain Shamas Univ., Egypt

  • Nag SK, Chakraborty S (2003) Influence of rock types and structures in the development of drainage network in hard rock area. J Indian Soc Remote Sens 31(1):25–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oweis T, Prinz D, Hachum A (2012) Rainwater harvesting for agriculture in the dry areas. Verlag: Crc Pr Inc

  • Pryde J, Osorio J, Wolfe M, Heatwole C, Benham B, Cárdenas A (2007) Comparison of watershed boundaries derived from SRTM and ASTER digital elevation datasets and from a digitized topographic map. ASABE (American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers), Paper No. 072093, Michigan, 1–10

  • Reddy GP (2013) Geospatial application in land resources management and land use systems analyses. Available online at: http://www.iasri.res.in/cbp/data/Coordinator/lecture_Presentation_files/80/Geospatial%20Applications%20in%20Land%20Resource%20Management.pdf

  • Schumm SA (1956) Evolution of drainage systems and slopes in badlands at Perth Amboy. N J Bull Geol Soc Am 67:597–646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sekar I, Randhir TO (2007) Spatial assessment of conjunctive water harvesting potential in watershed systems. J Hydrol 334:39–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sewidan AS (2000) (MOPHOMET & HAZARD) computer program of morphometric parameters and basins hazared degrees calculations, infiltration test calculation. Hydrology Department. Desert Research Center, Cairo, Egypt

  • Shah A (1998) Watershed development programs in India: emerging issues for environment-development perspectives. Econ Polit Wkly 33(26):A66–A79

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith KG (1958) Erosional processes and landforms in Badlands National Monument, South Dakota. Geol Soc Am Bull 69:975–1008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1952) Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. Trans Am Geophys Union 38:913–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1953) Revision of Horons’ quantitative factors in erosional terrain. Trans Am Geophys U 34

  • Strahler AN (1957) Quantitative analysis of watershed geomorphology. Trans Am Geophys Union 38:913–920

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Strahler AN (1964) Quantitative geomorphology of drainage basins and channel networks. In: Chow VT (ed) Handbook of applied hydrology. McGraw Hill, New York, pp 4–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Subyani AM (2009) Hydrologic behavior and flood probability for selected arid basins in Makkah area, western Saudi Arabia. Arab J Geosci. doi:10.1007/s12517-009-0098-1

    Google Scholar 

  • SUMAMAD (2011) Progress report of SUMAMAD activities. Omayed Biosphere Reserve, Egypt

    Google Scholar 

  • Sur HS, Jindal PK (2001) Performance evaluation and impact assessment of small water-harvesting structure in the Shiwalik foothills of northern India. Am J Altern Agric 3:124–130

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tollner EW, Pilz G, Molnar JJ, Verma BP, Meyer D, Triminio-Meyer S (2004) Spreadsheet tools for developing surface water supplies for freshwater fish production in developing countries. Aquac Eng 31(1–2):31–49

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Turner BL (1994) Global land use/land cover change: towards an integrated study. Ambiology 23(1):91–95

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP (United Nations Environment Program) (2012) Annual report. ISBN: 978-92-807-3323-5 Available online at: http://www.unep.org/annualreport/2012/

  • USDA-SCS (1972) Hydrology. Section 4, Soil Conservation Service, National Engineering Handbook. U.S. Department of Agriculture-Soil Conservation Service: Washington, DC

  • USDA-SCS (1986) Urban hydrology for small watersheds. Soil Conservation Service, Natural Resource Conservation Service Technical Release. 55, Available at: http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/hydro/hydro-tools-models-models-tr55.html

  • Vetter T, Rieger AK, Nicolay A (2014) Disconnected runoff contributing areas: evidence provided by ancient watershed management systems in arid north-eastern Marmarica (NW-Egypt). Geomorphology 212:41–57

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vitousek PM, Mooney H, Lubchenco J, Melillo JM (1997) Human domination of earth’s ecosystems. Science 277:494–500

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yousif M, Bubenzer O (2012) Perched groundwater at the northwestern coast of Egypt: a case study of the Fuka Basin. Appl Water Sci 2(1):15–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yousif M, Bubenzer O (2013) Integrated remote sensing and GIS for surface water development. Case study: Ras El Hekma area, northwestern coast of Egypt. Arab J Geosci 6(4):1295–1306

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors are greatly thankful to the STDF (The Science and Technology Development Fund, Ministry for Scientific Research, Cairo, Egypt) for funding the scientific project entitled “An integrated approach for water resources development in El Daba’a area, ID.6124” under the short-term fellowship program. This funding enables the first author to carry out researches in Cologne University, Germany, where the current paper was conducted.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geology, Desert Research Center, P.O.B. 11753, Cairo, Egypt

    Mohamed Yousif

  2. Institute of Geography, University of Cologne, Albertus-Magnus-Platz, 50923, Cologne, Germany

    Olaf Bubenzer

Authors
  1. Mohamed Yousif
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Olaf Bubenzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohamed Yousif.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yousif, M., Bubenzer, O. Geoinformatics application for assessing the potential of rainwater harvesting in arid regions. Case study: El Daba’a area, Northwestern Coast of Egypt. Arab J Geosci 8, 9169–9191 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1837-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1837-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation