This research introduces new classification for confined aquifer field, the previous classification for Aquifer potentiality was done by Geohage, 1979 and depends only on transmissivity which set that more than 500 m2/day in is classified as high potentiality, meanwhile 50-500 m2/day is moderate, and the rest between low to negligible. The previous classification; did not take in consideration the other hydraulic properties of the aquifer, the surface area extension of the aquifer and the heterogeneity of the aquifer which all affect directly on water exploitation management. The research was conducted in the three areas of Darb El Arbeain, southern western Desert, Egypt. In this study four suggested scenarios of pumping rates have been explored using the three dimensional finite difference flow model (MODFLOW 2005) to simulate the flow system. The study introduced new classification for confined aquifer classification where set that any confined aquifer exploiting 100 000 m3/day with less than 20 m steady aquifer drawdown, aquifer response, is classified as high potential, meanwhile under same exploitation rate with 20-40 mt as aquifer response is considered as moderate potentiality, and the rest is low in potentiality. |
