A GIS Database for Sustainable Management of Shallow Water Resources in the Tulul al Ashaqif Region, NE Jordan

The Tulul al Ashaqif region is an arid area in northeastern Jordan that contains renewable shallow perched aquifer water. The study of these aquifers has led to better understanding of the recharge process as well as other hydrological issues related to management of water resources in similar areas. The use of geographic information system (GIS)-based predictive mapping to locate areas of high potential for shallow perched aquifer sites is explored in this paper. Knowledge of the hydrologic, geologic and geomorphic variables influencing the development of shallow aquifer formation is used to produce GIS layers representing the spatial distribution of those variables. The GIS layers are then analyzed to identify locations where combinations of environmental variables match patterns observed at known sites. In addition, information can be deduced on the volume of water that is available and the best locations to site recharge facilities. Moreover, future development of these resources requires consideration of possible adverse affects of usage on these resources. The database developed can be used for this purpose as well.