234-4 Grace Satellite Data Analysis for Groundwater Monitoring and Sustainable Management in Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of Morocco

Session: Advance Ground Surface Modeling for Hydrological and Environmental Applications

Presenting Author:

Mouad Abbad

Authors:

Abbad, Mouad¹, Hadri, Abdessamad², El Khalki, El Mahdi³, Ouatiki, Hamza⁴, Hanadé Houmma, Ismaguil⁵, Jaffar, Oumar⁶, El Ghazlani, Taha⁷, Qachar, Mohammed⁸, Bouchaou, Lhoussaine⁹, El-Azhari, Ahmed¹⁰, Yaalaoui, Kamal¹¹, Chehbouni, Abdelghani¹²

Abstract:

Groundwater overexploitation in Morocco's arid and semi-arid regions, particularly in the Haouz-Mejjat, Bahira, and southeastern aquifers of Draa Tafilalet, poses significant sustainability challenges. This study compares the performance of various products derived from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and its Follow-On Mission for monitoring terrestrial water storage (TWS) and groundwater storage (GWS) anomalies, to encourage improved water resource management. Our methodology integrates GRACE-derived data with in situ groundwater level measurements, drought indices, and the assesses anthropogenic impacts on TWS and GWS. Results reveal that the downscaled GRACE-SeDA (Self Data Assimilation) product achieved the best accuracy (PCC=0.97, RMSE=0.21) for Haouz-Mejjat and for Bahira (PCC=0.93, RMSE=0.29). For the southeastern aquifers, the Goddard Space Flight Center product performed best for Jurassic (PCC=0.93, RMSE=0.28) and Errachidia-Boudnib Cretaceous Basin (PCC=0.39, RMSE=0.92) units. Additionally, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s (JPL) mascon solution performed best in the Fezna-Tafilalet region (PCC=0.83, RMSE=0.76). Further analysis highlighted the strengths of the combined datasets, particularly the mascon solutions’ mean and the COST-G (Combination Service for Time-variable Gravity Fields) product in replicating groundwater level trends.  Trend analysis revealed severe groundwater depletion in Haouz-Mejjate (−0.37 ±0.018 cm/month) and Bahira (−0.36 ±0.021 cm/month) aquifers, while in the southeastern aquifers, it shifted from stability to decline after 2018, a trend strongly associated with augmented water extraction for agricultural purposes. Furthermore, strong correlations between GRACE TWS and the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) demonstrated drought impacts on terrestrial water storage dynamics. This study emphasizes the use of GRACE data to improve groundwater monitoring and sustainable management in Morocco's water-stressed regions, enabling adaptive decision-making to meet growing agricultural and climatic pressures.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-4442

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