Using GIS and remote sensing for the mapping of potential groundwater zones in fractured environments in the CHAOUIA-Morocco area

The present study is a contribution to the effort of using new technologies (GIS and remote sensing) for prospection groundwater in fractured environments lower Chaouia region, which characterized by presence nongeneralized water tables. Its main objective design GIS prototype, coupled with multi-criteria analysis AHP, as an efficient decision support tool mapping potential zones define most suitable sites implementation future productive drilling. combination multi-source data (remote sensing, hydrographic, lithologic, fracturing, climatic, topographic, drilling, etc.) mainly obtained from geomatics has made it possible set up geo-spatial database. significant factors, namely, lithology, slope, lineaments, drainage density, land use, TWI rainfall, were taken into account assigned weights according their relative importance order determine areas. different parameters conditioning existence reservoirs facilitated spatial cartographic restitution aquifer potential. area dominated Very Weak classes (51%), followed Medium class (31%), finally Strong (18%). validation model was on basis superimposition exploitation flows existing boreholes springs resulting thematic map, reveals reliability results that selected highlighted satisfactory.