Estimation of excess water in the Sebou basin for an interbasin water transfer

Abstract

This paper aims to estimate the unusable water in the Sebou basin (Morocco) with a view to transferring them to the Bouregreg basin. To this end, a hydrological model of Belksiri Basin (7744 km², downstream part of Sebou) was elaborated. Then, several simulations were carried out to estimate the flow resulting from rainfall, with different return periods, in the Belksiri catchment. The model validation showed good results (NSE = 0.70, R² = 0.78). As for simulations of flow provoked by different return periods of the rainfall depth, the results showed that the peak flow increases from 916 m³/s for the return period T = 2–6744 m³/s for T = 100. This study clearly showed the possibility of the flow and route optimization related to the North to South Water Transfer Project (NSWTP) in Morocco. Indeed, the transfer flow can be increased from some 45 m³/s to 200 m³/s.

KEYWORDS:

• Rainfall-Runoff modelling
• HEC-HMS model
• Belksiri catchment
• Frequency analysis
• Simulations

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Water Research and Planning Directorate and the Hydraulic Basin Agency of Sebou for data acquisition.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Montana's formula calculates the intensity of rainfall (depth expressed in millimeters) as a function of its duration, expressed in minutes. This formula includes coefficients a and b, known as Montana coefficients, for a given region and a given return period.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Oussama Laassilia

Oussama Laassilia, Ph.D. student at the Hydraulic Systems Analysis Laboratory of the Mohammadia School of Engineers in Rabat (Morocco). Graduated from The Rabat School of Mines as hydro-geotechnic engineer. He has also a master’s degree in water and environment. He works in the Water Department of the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water.

Driss Ouazar

Dr. Driss Ouazar was graduated from Mohammadia School of Engineers as hydraulic engineer in 1977. then, Ph.D. in Hydromechanics from the university of Luick, Belgium in 1983. His past research encompasses the application of computational and experimental techniques for engineering and science especially Finite Element, Finite Volume applied for water resources, environment, and hydraulics.

Ahmed Bouziane

Dr. Ahmed Bouziane was graduated from Mohammadia School of Engineers as civil engineer. Then, Ph.D. in hydraulic. He is professor in the same school and expert in hydrologic modeling, dam construction, climate change impact and adaptation.

Moulay Driss Hasnaoui

Dr. Moulay Driss Hasnaoui is head of the Water Resources Division in the Water Department of the Ministry of Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water. he holds a doctorate, engineering and a master's degree in water sciences, facilities and the environment. It was awarded the Hassan II honorary prize for environmental research in 2004. He is expert, with an experience of 25 years, in water resources management, climate change, and sustainable development.