Geophysical and hydrological investigations of the Northern Wadis Area of Azraq Basin for groundwater artificial recharge purposes

Geophysical study and watershed hydrological delineation have been integrated at downstream of Alasra dam site Norh Azraq area to investigate their potential for artificial groundwater recharge. The total surface area of the watershed was found to be about 195 square kilometers. The estimated annual runoff volumes for the Alasra watershed ranged between 1.2 and 1.8 MCM. Moreover, the interpretation of Ten Time Domain Electromagnetic (TDEM) soundings suggested three principal subsurface layers. The top surface layer has an intermediate resistivity (90 - 110 Ohm?m) with a thickness ranging from a few meters to around 50 m. This layer was interpreted as superficial deposits. The second subsurface layer with variably high resistivity values is composed of unsaturated massive basalt layer and probably belongs to Madhala Olivine Phyric Basalt Formation (MOB). The large variations in resistivity could be ascribed to the degree of water saturation (as a result of groundwater recharge from the nearby harvested water dam), or lithological variations (clay content) and/or due to structural control. The third subsurface layer has low resistivity values (?m to 40 ??m) and was found at a depth ranging from 120 to 150 m. This layer could represent a saturated basalt layer with high clay contents. The subsurface structures and major faults have been identified. Based on the results of this study, a combination of surface and subsurface artificial groundwater recharge techniques is highly recommended