PROBLEMATIQUE DE SUREXPLOITATION DES EAUX SOUTERRAINES DANS LES ZONES ARIDES : CAS DE LA PLAINE DE GHRISS MASCARA –ALGERIE

Abstract

The plain of Ghriss covers vast wide of a surface of approximately 1185 km 2. It is located in the wilaya of Mascara with an average altitude of 585.03 m. With a semi-arid climate and a recurring secheress, this area recorded only one mean annual rain of 257.81 mm between 1994 and 2004 whereas it was located between isohyets 400 and 500 mm. The plain of Ghriss is an area with agricultural vocation with a truck farming dominating. The mean level of water of the wells or drillings in this plain is estimated at 70 m and several wells of observations of the piezometric network are dry. The volume of water extracted is estimated at 88 hm 3 / year whereas the contribution of the tablecloths is not that 66 hm 3 / year is a deficit of 32 hm 3 / year. This plain suffers from an overexploitation due to husbandry and the demographic growth through the AEP. By hoping for a fast return of the favorable weather conditions, a policy of management of water is inevitable to save this plain which is richest of the oranie from the agricultural point of view.