Integrated water resources management in the Loukkos basin (Morocco): an approach to improve resilience under climate change impact

Abstract

The Loukkos basin located in northern Morocco is characterized by developed agriculture and a significant water demand. The water needs are mainly satisfied from the Oued El Makhazine dam on Loukkos River. This dam is impacted by the silting up of its reservoir and by the large amount of not valued water discharged into the sea. The aim of this study is to develop an approach to secure water supply and promote an optimal use of basin water resources, using the decision-making tool RIBASIM. The study includes an assessment of the hydraulic performances of the current situation and an analysis of two scenarios by the 2050 horizon that are tested under climate change impacts. The analysis of the first scenario without actions shows an average deficit of 20 million cubic meters (MCM). The second scenario including the new dam shows an increase in the regularised volume by 20% and the water resource meet fully the water needs. However, they remain vulnerable to the climate change impacts, and imply that certain measures have to be undertaken. This article presents one of these measures, which consists of developing an approach to interconnect existing dams in the Loukkos basin.