Site Selections for Hill Dams in Oued Cherrat Watershed, NW Morocco: Weighted Overlay Approach

Abstract

The identifications of suitable locations for hill dam construction are confronted with various challenges, including environmental, technical, social, economic, and regulatory factors; these necessitate meticulous planning and management. This study employed geographic information systems (GIS) to identify and forecast potential sites within the Oued Cherrat watershed in northwest Morocco. A suitability map was developed by integrating multiple data sets, such as digital elevation models (DEMs), lithology, drainage density, and lineament density. By utilizing a weighted overlay analysis, the study area was categorized into segments with varying suitability levels for hill dam installation (ranging from unsuitable to very high potential). Covering an area of 39 km², the results indicated that 8% of the total area possessed very high potential. The findings were validated through field surveys that were conducted both prior to and following the study; these confirmed the high-potential areas that were identified by the model, thereby enhancing the reliability of the suitability map for future hill dam planning and flood-risk-mitigation strategies.