Groundwater potential zones Modeling using GIS, remote sensing, and AHP Method in the Guigou basin, Morocco

Abstract

This study aims to model the groundwater storage areas in the Guigou basin using Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS) and AHP methods. Eight thematic maps of lithology, slope, rainfall, rock fracture, Fractional impervious surfaces, LU/LC, soil and drainage were respectively classified and weighted and then used to create the map of potential groundwater storage areas. The results have shown that the area of Medium, high, and very high potential zones make up 66.38%, 11.43%, and 0.048% of the total, respectively, while medium and low potential zones make up 22.14% and 0.002% of the total. The obtained results have been validated with 51 wells in the study area. It indicates a clear correlation between the groundwater potential zones and the wells depth, This relationship between depth and location of drilled wells is particularly clear; in fact, the majority of shallow wells are found in places with high potential, whilst the majority of deep wells are found in areas with low potential.