Groundwater Potential in the New Valley South West of the Nile Delta in Egypt

Abstract

Egypt is continuously facing a decrease in water share per capita due to a decline in available water resources.

The objective of the present study is to evaluate and manage the groundwater resources of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System (NSAS) in the New Valley area. It is located in the middle part of Egypt’s Western Desert. It lies between latitudes of 24°–28° N and longitudes of 27°–31.5° E. It covers an area of 440 km long by 460 km wide where the total area is about (202,400 km²). A detailed review of the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer in the western desert is also introduced.

A finite difference model using “Visual MODFLOW” was applied on the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer of Dakhla Basin. It was adapted to simulate groundwater flow in such aquifer. The simulation was calibrated with available groundwater head data from CEDARE Report (2002). An optimum solution is established for the safe groundwater mining in the study area.

The scenario applications could allow for an increase in reclamation at Dakhla Oasis by 15%, with the condition of safe drawdown values less than 60 m for the period of 100 years.

The study provides the benefits of applying the modeling techniques. Numerous valuable inputs for the national development plan in Egypt are presented. The study found that it is important to seek an alternative water resource to compensate for the groundwater depletion.

Appendices

Appendix 1

Fig. 29

Attribute table for Farafra well coordinates (X, Y in m and Q in m³/day)

Fig. 30

Attribute table for Dakhla well coordinates (X, Y in m and Q in m³/day)

Fig. 31

Attribute table showing Kharga well locations and its coordinates

Appendix 2

Table 9 Farafra well group for final Model

Table 10 Dakhla well group for final model

Table 11 Kharga wells for final model