Mapping of Low Flow Rates in the Srou River Basin, Upstream of Oum Er Rbia River, Morocco

Effective and sustainable water resource management necessitates precise and specific understanding of these resources. Surface flows arise from intricate interactions among subsurface hydrogeological processes, spatial and temporal fluctuations in meteorological inputs, and the unique characteristics of river systems in basins. However, current water resource management heavily relies on data from hydrometric and rainfall stations, which frequently exhibit gaps and inaccuracies. Furthermore, most of these stations are positioned at the outlets of basins, thereby monitoring extensive areas. It's crucial to note that basins might not always be the optimal choice for an in-depth water resource analysis, as sub-basins can exhibit significant geological, lithological, and topographical differences. Consequently, the cumulative flow rates recorded at these stations amalgamate contributions from various aquifers, each responding differently, particularly during periods of low flow. These distinctions become complex to redistribute spatially once consolidated. This study introduces a methodology aimed at generating hydrological data on a more refined scale, shifting the focus from the entire basin to more standardized units termed as unitary basins. This approach has been implemented in the Srou basin, a key tributary of the Oum Er Rbia river. The basin was divided into smaller catchments, with flow measurements conducted between 2016 and 2019, excluding periods of direct rainfall. These assessments underscore the diverse flow characteristics within the Srou river system, highlighting the necessity of considering these variations for effective water resource management.