Evaluation of Moghra Aquifer using Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Moghra aquifer is a promising aquifer, it is located in the western desert of Egypt, and the groundwater which is located in Moghra Formation has not been exploited yet. The aquifer is considered moderate productive aquifer with salinity ranges from 3000 to 10000 ppm. Egyptian Government intends to expand the agriculture development areas especially by using the untapped aquifers. The present study simulates the aquifer based on the available data which were generated from maps and drilled wells under steady-state condition. MODFLOW code is used to simulate groundwater flow in the case study. Due to the lack of time series data, it was difficult to execute un-steady state calibration. Three scenarios present different regimes of operating wells. These scenarios are designed based on changing the spacing between wells for three applicable distances, which are 500, 1000, and 2000 meters. The implementation of these three scenarios led to determine the optimum discharge rate is subject of preserving the maximum drawdown not to exceed 50% of the saturated thickness. The model results indicated that the spacing of 1000 meters with pumping rate of 1000m3/day would achieve the sustainable development in the area.