Structural control of the hydrogeology in Figuig Oasis in the eastern High Atlas of Morocco

Jurassic aquifers constitute an important reservoir in the eastern High Atlas of Morocco. The primordial source of potable water in the Figuig Oasis is located in the Lias aquifer. Currently, the hydrodynamic behavior and geometry of this aquifer is poorly understood due to the lack of hydrogeological data and characterization of the block structure.This paper presents an attempt to understand the structure and hydraulic behavior of the Figuig aquifer. Exploration of borehole data, results from geophysical campaigns and surface geological studies have been integrated into a GIS environment to build a preliminary model of the aquifer structure. Groundwater level water measurements of 104 points in wells and boreholes enabled a piezometric map was produced. The results of the pumping tests showed a large scale difference of hydraulic conductivity between the north (Lias) and the south (Quaternary). It was also illustrated that the groundwater facies is sodium-chloride.