Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones Using GIS and Remote Sensing in Middle Moulouya Basin, Morocco

In Morocco, a semi-arid climate combined with a rising population has increased demand for scarce water resources. This study is to delineate groundwater potential zones (GWPZs) in the middle Moulouya basin, Morocco, using an integrated approach of geographic information system (GIS), remote sensing (RS), and Multi-Criteria Decision (MCDM) analysis. Five spatially distributed thematic layers include rainfall, drainage density, lithology, lineament density, and slope which were assessed according to their characteristics and relative importance in groundwater occurrence. These thematic layers and their sub-layers were assigned and normalized appropriate weights on the Saaty’s scale. Finally, a weighted sum overlay analysis tool was used to integrate the thematic maps to develop GWPZs. The study area’s delineated GWPZs are categorized into five different zones. According to the GWPZs, 4154 Km2 (29.2%) very poor, 1467 Km2 (10.32%) poor, 4476 Km2 (31.46%) moderate, 3158 Km2 (22.2%) good, and 971 km2 (6.82%) very good. The GWPZs’ map was validated by comparing it to the distribution of 722 water points and the results were found to be representative and reliable. This study provides a convenient method for delineating GWPZs, which will provide quantitative information for decision-makers to implement efficient management of groundwater resources.