Hello dear researchers,
The Saharan areas are characterized by a problem of rising in static levels of groundwater, we think to preserve excess waters by storing them in other lithological layers that can be considered as natural obstacles through a reorientation of the underground water flow by artificial canals in the bordering areas. Do you think that the idea is technically debatable in these regions which are characterized by a flat topographic level and absence of natural outlets with an important sandy lithological material? Thanks.
Well,
In such a case (the desert region), there is no risk of the groundwater level rising, and if the level continues to rise, the groundwater will necessarily flow into springs according to the laws of different water pressure.
If the goal is to convert the storage to take advantage of in the future, here the case needs to know the type of aquifers and whether they are multi-layers and whether their water pressure is different so that the water injection can be redirected to the low-pressure layers by the injection wells.
If the goal is to reuse the water in adjacent areas, then the water can be pumped from the wells and transported through open or closed channels.
We come to the topic of constructing a subsurface dam to raise water in front of the dam, this will not help because groundwater will move in directions away from the dam and the level will not rise except with very simple limits that do not serve the process of re-directing the water.
There is a suggestion, why multiple wells batteries are not drilled in the immediate vicinity, and their water is used and they will necessarily reduce groundwater levels.
Another suggestion is to dig and cut channels to a depth that reaches the groundwater level, and these channels would work to siphon the water inside the channels to be redirected according to the intended purposes.
Regards
I am not experienced in managing desertlands. Certainly there are historical examples of innovative people’s or cultures that have identified and taken advantage of opportunities to adjust or modify the normal surface and/or subsurface water circulation patterns, or in some instances to inject or remove groundwater for their specific needs or purposes. I have read a few books on history of hydrology you might find interesting. The results of these actions can result in a combination of positive and/or negative effects. Some of the features I saw in Peru seemed to provide water to needs of mountain top development (Manchu Picchu, Incas) or transfer water from areas of plenty to areas of scarcity. Properly placed subsurface dams in US have been used to restore groundwater levels and streams in deeply gullied semi-arid terrain, or restore wetlands in situations where they had been drained by ditching. Since hydrological modifications can also have some unintended effects, it is probably best to include at some stage of the considerations opportunity for interdisplinary, and where appropriate political, ecological and community analysis, discussion and review. Channelizing underground waters from one area to another, may also have effects to other areas, as groundwater boundaries do not necessarily follow surface hydrology boundaries..
Thank you Dr Bayan Hussien for suggestions.
I may explain that in some areas in Lower Sahara rising of the static level phenomenon in water able caused the flooding of entire palm groves and formation of a lake. Generally these waters are very salty. Also, in these regions there is an overexploitation of aquifers where the drilling field is important for irrigation. Among hypotheses on static level rising, are about the overexploitation of aquifers by pumping. So this phenomenon has even had consequences on the infrastructures and solutions proposed are to pump just to evacuate the water to the chotts to lower the static level but in this way a great loss of water occurs to stabilize the situation.
Regards.
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