MOROCCO ECONOMIC

COMPETITIVENESS
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER
RESOURCES: ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION

NOVEMBER 2011

This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International
Development. It was prepared by DAI.

DOCUMENT 71

MOROCCO ECONOMIC
COMPETITIVENESS
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
FOR WATER RESOURCES: ASSESSMENT &
EVALUATION

Submitted to USAID/Morocco, Economic Growth Office - Assistance Objective 3: Reduced barriers to

trade and investment
By DAI
The authors views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect
the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the
United States Government.

Contract Number: EEM-I-00-07-00009-00: Task Order Number: EEM-I-07-07-00009

Morocco Economic Competitiveness Program

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Souissi
10 000 Rabat
Morocco

Tel: (212) 05 37 63 05 59
Fax: (212) 05 37 63 05 61
andrew_watson@dai.com
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The authors views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect

the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the
United States Government.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.

INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................ 1

2.

PRESENTATION OF HYDROLOGICAL FEATURES OF THE OUM ER RBIA AND

MOULOUYA RIVER BASINS AND EXISTING HYDRAULIC INFRASTRUCTURE .................... 3

2.1

THE OUM ER RBIA RIVER BASIN ........................................................................................... 3

2.1.1

General information............................................................................................................ 3

2.1.2

Surface water ......................................................................................................................... 3

2.1.3

Hydraulic infrastructure ................................................................................................... 4

2.1.4

Groundwater.......................................................................................................................... 4

2.1.5

Water resource allocation ................................................................................................ 5

2.1.6

Hydropower generation .................................................................................................... 5

2.2

THE MOULOUYA RIVER BASIN ............................................................................................... 5

2.2.1

General information............................................................................................................ 5

2.2.2

Water resources ................................................................................................................... 5

2.2.3

Hydraulic Infrastructure ................................................................................................... 5

2.2.4

Hydrological monitoring network ................................................................................ 6

2.2.5

Water resource allocation ................................................................................................ 6

2.2.6

Hydropower generation .................................................................................................... 6

2.3 MAJOR WATER ISSUES SPECIFIC TO THE RIVER BASINS OF OUM ER RBIA AND
MOULOUYA.................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.3.1

Growing water scarcity and water shortages ........................................................... 7

2.3.2

Growing threat of drought ............................................................................................... 7

2.3.3

Threats of climate change................................................................................................. 7

2.3.4

Increasing flood threat ...................................................................................................... 7

2.3.5

Threats of erosion and silting of dams and reservoirs .......................................... 7

3.

EVALUATION OF EXISTING MODELING DATA .............................................................. 8

4.

HYDROLOGICAL AND WATER RESOURCES MODELING ASSESSMENT ....................13

5.

EVALUATION OF HUMAN TECHNICAL EXPERTISE .....................................................15

6.

WATER SYSTEM MODELING AND CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS...............................17

7.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMS TASKS ........................................................................20

8.

CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................24

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

APPENDIX 1: FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS OF WMS ...................................................26

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................. 26
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF WMS .................................................................................................... 26
Automated Watershed Delineation ............................................................................................. 26
Integrated GIS Tools .......................................................................................................................... 27
Floodplain Modeling and Mapping .............................................................................................. 27
2D (Distributed) Hydrology ........................................................................................................... 27
Data Compatibility ............................................................................................................................. 28
APPENDIX 2: FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS OF RIBASIM ..............................................30

OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................................. 30
Field of application ............................................................................................................................ 30
OTHER APPLICATIONS OPTIONS ..................................................................................................... 31
Reservoir operation........................................................................................................................... 31
Water management option ............................................................................................................. 31
Evaluation of Basin performance ................................................................................................. 31
Hydro-power production ................................................................................................................ 31
Hydrologic routing ............................................................................................................................. 32
Groundwater ........................................................................................................................................ 32
Integration of water quality modeling ....................................................................................... 32
Modeling of agriculture water demand ..................................................................................... 32
Integrated GIS Tool ............................................................................................................................ 33

ii

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

1. INTRODUCTION
Under task 2.2.3 of MEC program: Development of Information Management Tools for River
Basin Agencies and ORMVAs, Dr. Driss Ennaanay and Dr. Tim Martin supported the national
MEC consultants - Mr. Mustapha El Haiba and Dr. Driss Ouazar - on various activities. They
made several visits - Dr. Martin in March 2011 (5 days), Dr. Ennaanay in August 2011 (12
days) and both in September 2011(7 days) - to work with Oum Er Rbia (ABHOER) and
Moulouya (ABHM) River Basin Agencies to achieve the following:
1) Analyze the existing data requirements for modeling purposes.
2) Evaluate existing modeling tools.
3) Assess the expertise of technical staff in modeling and IMS.
4) Identify specific Information Management System (IMS) needs.
5) Develop a framework and tasks for IMS implementation and development.
The IMS Team launched the preliminary tasks needed to implement the Watershed Modeling
System (WMS) (Appendix 1) and its hydrological models for incorporation into the IMS. Dr.
Ennaanay led hydrologic and river basin modeling workshops for the technical staff of both
agencies. Workshop discussions focused on the strengths and limitations of the RIBASIM
(Appendix 2) and WMS models. Both models have been acquired by the agencies and the
Secretariat d Etat Charg de lEau et de lEnvironnement (SEEE) and will be implemented in
major river basin agencies throughout the country.
The team identified, and will present in this report, the needs of river basin agencies in
hydrological and river basin modeling, particularly since both agencies will be using WMS
and RIBASIM. Based on the assessment and evaluation of the existing models and technical
expertise, the team recommends identified tasks and has designed an IMS to implement in
phase 3 of the MEC task 2.2.3. We believe this approach will help river basin agencies handle
water management activities and meet the overall goals of USAID-MEC.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

2. PRESENTATION OF
HYDROLOGICAL FEATURES
OF THE OUM ER RBIA AND
MOULOUYA RIVER BASINS
AND EXISTING HYDRAULIC
INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1

THE OUM ER RBIA RIVER BASIN

2.1.1 General information

The Oum Er Rbia river basin extends over an area of nearly 48,000 Km2 (figure 1). The climate
in the basin is arid to semi-arid, with decreasing precipitations from west to east (350 to 250
mm/year). But in the upstream of the basin, at high altitude of the Atlas Mountains, the
annual rainfall may reach 1,000 mm, with a significant amount of snow fall at altitudes above
1,500 m. The average rainfall in the basin is about 500 mm/year. It varies between 1,100 mm
in the Middle Atlas and 300 mm in the area downstream of the river basin.
The temperature varies between 10 and 50 C. The minima and maxima are 3.5 C in January
and 38 C in August. Evaporation can reach 1,600 to 1,800 mm/year. On the average its
about 1,600 mm per year in the coastal area and 2,000 mm within the basin with a monthly
maximum of 300 mm in July and August.

2.1.2 Surface water

Most of the basin water resources are generated in High Atlas Mountains, upstream the
basin. The hydrological network consists of the main river, the Oum Er Rbia (550 km), with
three main tributaries: the Tessaout River, the Lakhdar River and El Abid River. Annual
average flows of the river basin are estimated to 3,250 Mm3/year with a maximum of 8,300
Mm3 and a minimum of 1,300 Mm3.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

Figure 1: Overview of Oum Er Rbia River Basin

2.1.3 Hydraulic infrastructure

The hydraulic infrastructure in the river basin consists of several dam-reservoirs with a total
capacity of approximately 5,300 Mm3, of which 70% (3,550 Mm3) is regulated. The hydraulic
infrastructure includes three (3) large main irrigation canals with a total length of 87 km and
with deliver water to six (6) large irrigation schemes. The total irrigated area is approximately
324,700 ha (including the water transfer to irrigate 31,700 ha for the Haouz region in the
Tensift river basin, and the irrigated perimeter in Doukkala).

2.1.4 Groundwater
Groundwater resources are relatively important and include several aquifers of high interest,
including:
The Tadla confined aquifer (called the Turonian aquifer): This confined aquifer extends
over an area of 10,000 km2. It consists of limestone and dolomites/limestone geological
formations. The thickness of the aquifer varies from 20 m at the outcropping areas to 80 m
south, on the edge of the Atlas area.
The aquifer of Beni Amir: This is an unconfined shallow aquifer which extends over an area
of 600 km2, and where groundwater flows through geological formations of marls limestone, and conglomerates having a thickness that varies between 50 and 100 m.
The aquifer of Beni Moussa: This is an unconfined, shallow aquifer extending over an area
of 885 km2 where groundwater flows through limestone and marl-limestone geological
formations of the Quaternary. The thickness of the aquifer is approximately 150 m near the
river Oum Er Rbia, and increases towards the Atlas Mountains where it may reach 300 m.
According to the PDAIRE studies, the global groundwater balance in the Oum Er Rbia river
basin is marked by a significant deficit of about 147 Mm3/y. Groundwater abstractions
amount up to 638 Mm3/y, nearly 50% of the total amount groundwater recharge estimated
at 1,331 Mm3/y.

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

2.1.5 Water resource allocation

The total volume of water being used in different sectors (irrigation, municipal, and industrial
water) in the Oum Er Rbia basin accounts for 4,505 Mm3, of which:

4,170 Mm3 of surface water, are used in irrigation (90%), and municipal and industrial
water (8%), and sanitary flow (2%).
333 Mm3 of groundwater are used in irrigation (85%), and for drinking water supply
(15%).

Irrigation water needs have increased from 2,000 Mm3 in 1980 to over 2,500 Mm3 in 2006.
But, over the past 25 years, the irrigation water demand has never been satisfied. The
average deficit is about 33% with a maximum deficit of about 67%.

2.1.6 Hydropower generation

There are currently 14 hydroelectric power stations in the Oum Er Rbia River basin. The total
hydropower generated in the river basin represents nearly 70% of the total national
production. The average production is of about 1,680 million of KWH/year.

2.2

THE MOULOUYA RIVER BASIN

2.2.1 General information

The Moulouya River basin extends over an area of about 75,000 Km2(figure 2). Its climate is
highly variable from zone to zone. However, two distinct climate zones are well delineated:

A zone of semi-arid climate with two seasons: a mild winter with a significant amount
of rain during the period of OctoberMay, and a hot and dry summer during the
period JuneSeptember. This zone is located north of the basin along the
Mediterranean coastal area.
The rest of the basin where the climate is arid with low precipitation and dry weather,
which may last year round. Winters are often long and cold, while summers are very
hot. The climate of this area is influenced by the relief barriers made of the Middle
Atlas Mountain, the Rif Mountains and the Beni Snassen, which block the humid air
masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean.

The annual average rainfall may exceed 600 mm in the summits but remains less than 350
mm within the coastal plains. The average annual rainfall is approximately 245 mm, with a
minimum of 110 mm, and a maximum of 515 mm (chains of Bni Snassen, and upstream in
Middle Atlas Mountains). Mean monthly temperatures range from 18 C to 29 C, and the
minimum monthly average temperatures may reach 2 C.

2.2.2 Water resources

Most of the water resources are generated upstream of the basin in the Middle Atlas and
High Atlas Mountains. The main river of the basin is the Moulouya River, running about 600
Km in length. Its main tributaries are the Melloulou River and the Za River. Surface water
supplies are limited and irregular. The river flows present a high inter-annual variability. The
annual average flow has been declining since the 1970s. During the period between 1940
and 2002 the annual flow was about 1,611 Mm3; whereas during the period between 1970
and 2002 the average annual flow declined to 1,444 Mm3.

2.2.3 Hydraulic Infrastructure

The existing hydraulic infrastructure consists of i) Five (5) large dam reservoirs with a total
capacity of 990 Mm3, ii) 40 medium and small size dam reservoirs with a total capacity of 22
Mm3 and iii) Two (2) main irrigation concrete canals (288 km) delivering each about 18 m3/s
to irrigate the large irrigation scheme of Moulouya.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

2.2.4 Hydrological monitoring network

The water resources monitoring network in the Moulouya River basin is composed of:

58 river flows gauging stations ( including recording river water levels stations)
29 rainfall gauging stations
11 recording rainfall stations
18 weather stations, including a number of automatic whether stations allowing real
time data transmission and acquisition installed by MEC project. These station will be
used for flood forecasting
153 piezometers

Figure 2: Overview of the Moulouya River Basin

2.2.5 Water resource allocation

The total volume of water used within the river basin is 886 Mm3 and is allocated as follows:

506 Mm3 of surface water are allocated to irrigation (86%) and to municipal and
industrial water supply (14%)
380 Mm3 of groundwater used for irrigation (75%) and for municipal supply (25%)

The total irrigated area is approximately 73,874 ha, of which 58,343 ha are large irrigation
schemes and 15,531 ha are medium and small irrigated schemes.

2.2.6 Hydropower generation

The existing hydropower stations in the Moulouya River basin have a total power of 29 MW,
generating about 50 GWH per year of hydroelectricity.

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

2.3

MAJOR WATER ISSUES SPECIFIC TO THE RIVER BASINS OF

OUM ER RBIA AND MOULOUYA

The studies of the water master plans (PDAIREs) being finalized by both river basins agencies
have highlighted a number of significant water resources challenges in both river basins,
besides the existing constraints associated with the institutional framework weaknesses.
Briefly these challenges can be summarized as follows:

2.3.1 Growing water scarcity and water shortages

Both river basins are expected to suffer from severe water shortages within the next decade
due to a growing water scarcity as highlighted in the water master plans. A significant deficit
is observed in the simulated global water supply/demand balance in both river basins. These
shortages are likely to be exacerbated by the observed frequent droughts, expansion of food
production and the socio-economic development plans, which will raise the per capita water
demand. In both river basins, irrigation water consumption is about 80 to 85% of the total
mobilized resources.

2.3.2 Growing threat of drought

In recent decades, the Moulouya and Oum Er Rbia River basins have experienced episodes of
very severe droughts that affected the supply of surface water. These droughts have
seriously impacted the agricultural sector, municipal water supply, and hydropower
generation. PDAIRE studies have shown that the surface water flows of the Oum Er Rbia have
declined during the past 26 years compared to during the period from 1941 to 1980. During
the period from 1981 to 2006, the mean annual flow was about 2,314 Mm3, whereas during
the period from 1941 to 1980 the mean annual flow was about 3.245 Mm3 (a decrease of
about 40%).
With regard to the Moulouya River basin, the drought sequences of two to five years on the
average, have seriously affected water supply for agriculture, municipal water supply and
hydropower generation.

2.3.3 Threats of climate change

Potential reductions in surface water supply in both river basins due to climate change,
combined with increased water demand, are likely to increase pressure on water resources.
Most climate models project that in the coming decades Moroccos climate will be warmer
and drier, with declines in average precipitation of 20% to 30% in the 2030s. This will
exacerbate the growing water scarcity problems in the Oum Er Rbia and Moulouya River
basins. Ongoing studies will provide further information regarding climate change impacts
on water resources. Adding its uncertainty, climate change will increase the complexity of
managing water resources in both river basins.

2.3.4 Increasing flood threat

The flood protection plans have identified i) 71 highly vulnerable sites within the Oum Er
Rbia river basin and ii) 391 vulnerable sites within the Moulouya river basin. Extreme floods
observed in the Moulouya river basin have reached 7,000m3/s causing immense damages
downstream.

2.3.5 Threats of erosion and silting of dams and reservoirs

The annual rate of silting of dam reservoirs in the Oum Er Rbia river basin is estimated at 3.2
Mm3/y for the Bine El Ouidane dam reservoir, 1.1 Mm3/y for Moulay Youssef dam and 3.3
Mm3/y for the dam Hassan I on the river Lakhdar.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

This problem also affects the Moulouya river basin. Since its commissioning in 1965, the
large dam reservoir of the basin Mohamed V has seen its capacity reduced from 726 Mm3 to
331 Mm3 in 2005 (a capacity lost of about 46%).

3. EVALUATION OF
EXISTING MODELING
DATA
Both river basin agencies have accumulated important databases as time series and
geographic information system (GIS) files. Most of these databases are in somewhat
organized format, scattered in different data storage units from flash disks, external hard
drives, to central servers. Both agencies have and use BADRE21, a Water Resources Database
developed by the SEEE and which hosts part of the agencies water resources information
including climatic data and streamflow data. The rest of the databases about reservoirs, GIS,
groundwater, and water quality collected from the agencies monitoring networks are stored
in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access.
Prior to his first visit, Dr. Ennaanay provided a list of data requirements for WMS and Soil
Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) models for both agencies to start preparing for the modeling
activities. Earlier this summer, the Secretariat of Water and Environment decided to
standardize modeling tools and started the acquisition of WMS for all river basin agencies in
the country; part of a GIZ financed effort. Therefore we were asked to focus on this model for
all future hydrological modeling in both river basin agencies.
In Table 1, we summarize the data requirements for the WMS hydrological model (HSPF) for
both agencies. The table shows that most data needed in the hydrological modeling exist
except the digital elevation model (DEM) at 30 m, land use land cover (LULC) map, and soil
map.
The team was able to provide the DEM and the soil map that were downloaded from the
FAO GeoNetwork database (http://www.fao.org/geonetwork/srv/en/main.home). As for the
other missing data, both agencies agreed to work with other stakeholders in the region to
generate the LULC maps and compile management practices for major agricultural cropping
systems.

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

Most of the data shown in Table 1 have been updated as part of the five-year master plan
and database, PDAIRE 2007. In various discussions, each river basin agency director and staff
reiterated strong interest in using the data outcome of this five-year revised master plan in
future IMS and modeling products. However, our evaluation and assessment of the nature
and quality of data show that time series are still missing data points and some GIS files are
miss-projected and need meta-data information. It is clear that more data management and
data quality control and assurance need to be administered on these data sets. Immediate
tasks should include analysis of time series data, design, and implementation of a correction
method that fills the missing data. Another task should focus on the GIS data sets to
organize them in a geodatabase with a single projection and data references.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

Table 1: Requirements and Availability of data for Watershed Modeling System

Type
Input
Format
ABHOER ABHM Comments
DEM
(Elevation)

Grid

Land use
land cover

Grid

Soil

Geology

Database
(horizon depth,
texture,
structure,
permeability,
organic
matter...)
Shapefile

Streams

Shapefile

Weather
stations

Shapefile

PHYSICAL

Rainfall

Elevation map,
generally it is 30m
resolution raster.
Derived and
classified from
Satellite images,
generally it is 30m
resolution
Database of tables,
raster and/or
shapefiles

Time series

CLIMATE
Air
temperature
(Min
and
Max)
Solar
radiation
Wind speed
Relative
humidity
Snow depth

Time series

Gaging
Stations

Latitude, longitude
and elevation of
weather stations
within and
surrounding the
basin.
Daily time series for
long period. If HSPF
model is used for
WMS, we will need
hourly time series
for at least couple of
stations.
Daily time series

Time series

Daily time series

Time series
Time series

Daily time series

Daily time series

Time series

Daily time series

Shapefile

Map showing
location of different
gaging stations +
Information on the
station (start/end,
type, )

HYDROLOGICAL

10

Important
information for
ground water
modeling
Streams

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

Table 1: Requirements and Availability of data for Watershed Modeling System

Type
Input
Format
ABHOER ABHM Comments
Point
sources

Diversions

Reservoirs

Flows

Shapefile

Shapefile

Time series

Irrigation

Wells

GROUNDWATER
WATER QUALITY
MANAGEMENT

shapefile

Time series

Shapefile

Existing
aquiferwater table
map
Monitoring
points

Map

Nutrients

Time series

Sediments
Agricultural
Practices

Map

time series
Types
and
timing

Map showing
location of different
point sources +
Information on the
station (start/end,
type, )
Map showing
location of different
diversions +
Information on the
station (start/end,
type, )
Map showing
reservoirs +
information on
reservoirs (type,
start, )
Streamflow,
reservoir outflows,
diversion flows,
point sources flows
Time series for
gaging stations,
diversions, point
sources.
Map showing major
wells + information
on wells (type,
latitude, longitude,
depth,..)
Map showing
groundwater extent
+ information (type,
)
Map showing
monitoring sites
(latitude, longitude,
type, frequency,..)
Water quality
components time
series (nutrients and
other contaminants)
at specific
monitoring points
Bathymetry
For all agricultural
land

X: Data exists

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

4. HYDROLOGICAL AND
WATER RESOURCES
MODELING ASSESSMENT
In recent years, river basin agencies have externalized all activities related to modeling
development by hiring local and foreign consulting firms to design, implement, and run
models for daily water management activities. The agencies have used internal staff to
continue monitoring and evaluating activities
In this assignment, we examined different existing modeling tools that are in-house, most of
which were developed by Moroccan local firms in collaboration with foreign consulting firms.
Without exception, none of the models are being used routinely by the basin agencies in
their daily water management activities. Both agencies opted to develop and customize their
own simplified tools to run the daily simple water management tasks.
At the ABHOER, there is a version of RIBASIM (river basin modeling tool) that was developed
in 2000. This same version was updated by an engineering student at the Institut
Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II for his Masters thesis. We evaluated this model, which
still needs improvements such as incorporating groundwater and return flow from irrigation.
For all surface water management (modeling), the agency doesnt have a model to simulate
surface water. They use an Excel file that is updated daily based on the experience and
knowledge of the water engineer in charge. However, the agency has an ongoing
consultancy with NOVEC, a Moroccan consulting firm and CACG, a French consulting firm for
all annual and seasonal water planning scenarios. CACG-NOVEC uses a MIKE-Basin model,
which was not provided to the basin agency. So, for modeling each single scenario, the
agency needs the support of this consultant, creating dependency and a cost-effective
solution.
As per groundwater management and modeling, ABHOER has an ongoing contract with
ANZAR, a local firm for all their groundwater modeling purposes. They use modeling results,
but have no license, for the GMS model. So far, the agency has GMS models for two major
aquifers in the basin.
All models at ABHM were built by consulting firms either local or international. Similarly to
OER, the ABHM agency has on ongoing contract with CACG-NOVEC to run MIKE-Basin for all
water resources modeling scenarios that the agency develops. It is a black box process in
which the agency has no control. For all surface water modeling, the agency uses a nonfunction HEC-1 model that was built by NOVEC. The technician, who is in charge of
managing surface water modeling and simulation, uses an Excel file that has very limited
capabilities to manage inflow-outflow for reservoirs and diversions. There is significant
dependency on the soft expertise and knowledge of the experienced technician.
For all groundwater modeling activities, the agency uses the services of ANZAR consulting.
They use GMS results but have no GMS license in house.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

5. EVALUATION OF HUMAN
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
In both agencies, we identified two groups among the technical staff: One group, consisting
of four to five very experienced water technicians/engineers and a second group with six to
seven junior, entry-level, multi-disciplinary personnel. The junior level personnel have
background and training in subjects different than water such as ecology, biology,
biochemistry, law, and computer science.
Table 2 demonstrates the composition of the technical staffs background and expertise and
the current role of the two agencies.
Table 2: Description of Technical expertise within both agencies
ABHM

Technical Field

ABHOER

Hydrology
Hydrogeology

Staff
1Sr
1Sr, 1Sr

Comments
Good
Good

Staff
1Sr
1Sr, 1Jr

Comments
Good
Good

Hydrologic Modeling

1Sr

Limited to fair

1Sr

Limited to fair

Groundwater Modeling

1Sr

Limited to fair

1Sr

Limited to fair

River basin modeling

Water Quality
GIS
Information Systems
Computer Science

1Jr
1Sr, 1Jr
1Sr
1Jr
0

Limited
Fair
Limited
Limited

1Sr
1Sr
1Sr
1Sr
1Jr

Limited
Fair
Good
Good
Limited

Flooding and Inundation

1Sr

Limited

Reservoirs & Water Resources

Planning

1Sr, 1Jr

Good

1Sr

Good

Sr: Senior staff, Jr: Junior staff

During both trips, Dr. Ennaanay conducted trainings and workshops for the staff of both
agencies. He presented both WMS and RIBASIM describing the characteristics, strengths, and
limitations of the models. He also discussed how these models can be used to respond to
the climatic, soil and LULC, geological, and river basin management conditions of the two
basins. In these workshops, Dr. Ennaanay described the full hydrologic and water resources
modeling, discussed how the agencies could benefit from these tools they recently acquired,
and emphasized the importance of data quality as a major factor in modeling success.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

6. WATER SYSTEM
MODELING AND
CAPACITY BUILDING
NEEDS
Based on the evaluation results presented above, we identified three major needs for both
agencies with different recommended intervention degrees:
1) Data management system: The scattered and disorganized data sets (time series
and GIS files) need to be hosted in one central system where everyone in the agency
can have access. Data will be quality controlled and the same data will be used for
various purposes.
The ongoing MEC effortto strengthen the monitoring network to allow acquisition
of climate datawill improve the data situation for both agencies. This data
acquisition system can be easily implemented and linked to water supply and flood
forecasting systems. The fully functional system will improve water management and
river basin short-term operations and enhance flood preparedness.
2) Functional in-house modeling tools: Most of the tools used by both agencies are
black boxes, and require continuous dependency upon the consulting firms that do
not have the means to evaluate and control the quality of the modeling results. The
agencies need in-house models that they can understand and modify for scenarios
related to their respective water supply and demand issues. This ability will allow
them to run as many scenarios as they want, cost effectively. This functionality will
also allow them to verify and quality control future work and modeling projects
conducted by consulting firms. Such tools can also be used to simulate impacts of
various climate change scenarios on water supply, soil erosion, and reservoir
management. These tools will reduce the agencies vulnerability to climate change by
enhancing their preparedness and improving their adaptation mechanisms.
3) Strengthen technical capacity: Throughout this short-term assessment, we
identified that both agencies need immediate intervention to build and strengthen
their technical capacities. Continuity, longevity, and sustainability of water
management are at risk in Morocco, and in particular in these agencies, even though
the Central Department in Charge of Water and Environment (SEEE), in collaboration
with the German Cooperation Agency GIZ, has recently organized, , for all the river
basins agencies in Morocco, a basic training workshops on the following modeling
tools:

Training on the use of RIBASIM , conducted by the experts of the Dutch

company Deltares
Training on the use of WMS, conducted by the American company AQUAVEO

As mentioned above the licenses of these two modeling tools are being acquired by the
SEEE and will be installed as standard tools in all river basins agencies in Morocco.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

17

It is useful that the USAID-MEC program builds upon the achievements of this initiative and
develops and implements a more comprehensive on-the-job training program to accompany
the river basins agencies of Oum Er Rbia and Moulouya in having WMS and RIBASIM fully
operational at the river basins levels.

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

19

7. RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR IMS TASKS
Throughout this assignment, we evaluated the existing data and tools, and attentively
focused on understanding both agencies needs. We conducted our assessment with the
goal of designing and implementing a functional, useful, and practical IMS to help these
agencies effectively manage water resources at the basin level. We identified several tasks
that the agencies requested and need to be incorporated in the proposed IMS.
Table 3 describes IMS tasks and sub-tasks and provides a schedule for each of the tasks. In
various discussions with both river basin agencies and the two ORMVAs (Doukkala and
Moulouya), we identified 10 needed tasks described in Table 3. However, after discussion
with the MEC COP, we were asked to break the tasks into two groups: group one includes
task 1 to 6, called high priority and group two includes tasks 7 to 10, called needed when
financial resources are available. The purpose of each of the 10 tasks is described below:
Task 1: Watershed Modeling System (WMS) Hydrologic modeling: The purpose of this
task is to build a hydrologic model within the Watershed Modeling System (WMS) to
represent the natural system of the river basin. The WMS will be used in all simulations of
LULC future changes (new agriculture and irrigation districts), climate change scenarios, and
inflows for future dams and reservoirs. Under this MEC activity, we will enhance the WMS
that is under development by Riverside for ongoing World Bank climate change project in
Oum Er Rbia River Basin.
We are also proposing onsite training of the IMS units (three to four technical staff
members) within the two agencies. The development team will work closely with these units
to fully understand the model, build and run the river basin model, and interpret its results.
During the length of this project, we will provide technical support to the staff to ensure full
application and use of the system. This hands-on approach will facilitate successful user
adoption so to ensure agency staff will continue using the system after the project ends.
Task 2: River Basin Simulation (RIBASIM) Water resources modeling: The goal of this
task is to provide both agencies with a functional river basin water resources modeling
system to help with planning activities. We will set up, enhance and operationalize a system
for Moulouya using the RIBASIM model that is now under development in the ongoing
World Bank climate change project in Oum Er Rbia.
During the model development stage, we will provide on-the-job training of the IMS units at
both agencies to set up, calibrate, run, and interpret model results. This onsite training, in
addition to technical support during the length of this project, will build each agencys
internal capacity and ensure full application and continuity of model use after the end of the
project.
Task 3: Study Tour for ABH, ORMVA, and SEEE managers: This tour will be a valuable
opportunity for Moroccan water managers to meet with U.S. water managers in various U.S.
federal, state, and local water agencies. They will visit and experience different information
management systems, water modeling systems, and decision support systems. During the
tour, they will also learn how these technologies have been used to improve water
management.
Task 4: Data management: We are proposing to organize data in a centralized database
and implement GIS tools to homogenize data sets for each agency. Most of the data still
needs substantial quality control and quality assurance work. This task will allow us to fill the
missing gaps in various time series (climate and runoff), correct and georeference GIS files,
and build metadata files for different data sets.

20

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

Task 5: Climate change decision support tool: This task will use results from Riversides
ongoing World Bank climate change project in OER. We will be incorporating seven climate
change scenarios results in this decision support tool. Riverside has developed and
implemented this tool in various river basins in the U.S. as shown on this website:
www.climatechangedss.com. The climate change decision support tool will allow the OER to
disseminate climate change impacts to the larger public community.
Task 6: Irrigation management: The ORMVA of Doukkala is undergoing substantial
irrigation conversion projects in an effort to improve water efficiency and increase
productivity. We are proposing to implement a drip irrigation advisory and scheduling
system in one pilot irrigation sector. This system will use and utilize weather data generated
and produced by the weather stations that were acquired and installed by MEC. This will help
farmers effectively use their water quotas between two irrigation periods (generally two
weeks).
Under this same task, the ORMVA of Moulouya wants to apply remote sensing techniques to
estimate consumptive use in their irrigation sectors. This will allow the ORMVA to effectively
estimate water balance and groundwater abstractions in the district.
Task 7: Water harvesting: During our September trip, we attended a water master plan
discussion in Oujda (Moulouya region). Many stakeholders highlighted the need for water
harvesting projects in the region. Water harvesting is considered an important approach to
save rain and runoff water for irrigation and domestic use. We identified this task as an
priority since the region is experiencing drier climate and rain patterns are more irregular
and intense.
Task 8: Water quality: Intensive agricultural practices, especially in the irrigated areas, have
impacted the quality of surface waters and more negatively the groundwater resources that
are shallow in these zones. Incorporating non-point sources water quality, especially
nitrogen, into modeling activities in both agencies will address this issue. This modeling
effort will help the ORMVA and ABH to zone the risk areas and target their outreach
activities.
Task 9: Forecasting and modeling applications: Both agencies expressed the need for
incorporating forecasting systems for water supply and flooding into the modeling systems.
These systems will incorporate and use the real-time climate data sets that are collected
using the existing system and the additional weather stations that MEC has installed in
various areas within the two river basins. These applications are very critical for improving
water management and flood preparedness in both regions.
Task 10: GIS and remote sensing applications: In collaboration with both agencies, we
identified the need to improve the existing GIS databases by building a decision support
interactive tool for GIS data analysis.
We also highly recommend using remote sensing techniques to generate a LULC map for
both agencies to provide important information that is missing for the entire country.
Under this same task, both agencies have requested help and support in estimating
consumptive water use in the entire basin with focus on estimating groundwater and riverwater abstractions in irrigated areas along the river courses.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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Table 3: Proposed IMS tasks (1-6 High priority and 7-10 Needed)

Basic Development
1

WMS Watershed
Modeling System
Hydrologic modeling

xx

Enhancement
operationalisation

xx

xx

Technical Assistance

On-Job Training

xx

xx

Basic Development
2

Enhancement
operationalisation

xx

xx

Technical Assistance

On-Job Training

xx

xx

Study Tour for ABH,

ORMVA and SEEE
managers (Riverside
Labor)

Preparation, hosting,
reporting

Data Management
Organizing climatic
and hydrologic data

Data organization

xx

xx

xx

xx

Climate Change DST

incorporate climate
change into IMS

Irrigation
Management
Irrigation scheduling
and telemetry

22

RIBASIM Riverside
basin management
model

xx

Implementation

Technology transfer

Design irrigation
management services

xx

Implementation

xx

Evapotranspiration and
irrigation water balance

Water Harvesting for Identification of potential

domestic and livestock areas (suitability index)
use
Database

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

x
xx
xx

Q3

Q2

2012

Q1

Q4

Sub-tasks

ABHM

Task # Task

ORMVAD
ORMVA
M
ABHOER

2011

Table 3: Proposed IMS tasks (1-6 High priority and 7-10 Needed)

GIS application
Model set up

xx

xx

Modeling Nitrate

xx

xx

Water supply forecasting

xx

xx

Forecasting:
Modeling
Applications of WMS
and RIBASIM

Flood forecasting including

design, link to acquisition
data system, model set up

xx

xx

Build upon existing GIS for

applications (design and
implementation)

10

Q3

Q2

Q1

2012

xx

Water Quality nonpoint source pollution

(Nitrogen)

GIS/Remote Sensing
Applications applying
Land use and land cover for
remote sensing and
modeling and other
GIS techniques in
applications
irrigation management
Evapotranspiration for
irrigation and water balance

Q4

Sub-tasks

ABHM

Task # Task

ORMVAD
ORMVA
M
ABHOER

2011

xx

xx

xx

xx

xx

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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8. CONCLUSION
The proposed set of tasks will be incorporated in a functional, useful, and practical IMS. It is a
product that includes items needed and requested by the agencies; it responds to their
needs. These are tasks that were identified by working with the river basin agencies and the
ORMVAs under this assignment. Our goal is to produce a comprehensive tool to help
improve the agencies water management. We will be working closely with all clients during
the length of this project to incorporate all necessary components of this IMS. We will
provide comprehensive onsite training to the IMS units in both agencies to ensure continuity
and sustainability of this system.

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

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25

APPENDIX 1: FEATURES
AND APPLICATIONS OF
WMS
OVERVIEW

The Watershed Modeling System (WMS) is a comprehensive modular package that

represents and simulates most of phases of watershed hydrology, water quality, groundwater
and hydraulics. Based on its modular design capability, WMS includes and links different
tools to explicitly run and simulate different processes such as automated basin delineation,
geometric parameter calculations, GIS overlay computations (e.g., CN, rainfall depth, and
roughness coefficients), cross-section extraction from terrain data, hydraulic mechanisms,
hydrologic responses, water quality characteristics. Among the software that are now
supported in WMS, we find set of hydrologic and water quality modeling tools including
HEC-HMS, TR-20, TR-55, Rational Method, NFF, MODRAT, and HSPF, and another set of
hydraulic models including HEC-RAS and CE QUAL W2. It is important to mention that WMS
has the capability of executing 2D integrated hydrology (including channel hydraulics and
groundwater interaction) using the US Army GSSHA model. Therefore, WMS gives the user
the option of adding new modules that model and simulate processes that are of
importance using tools that are strong to specific issue, not data hungry and easy to use.
The modular design of the program enables the user to select modules in custom
combinations, allowing the user to choose only those hydrologic modeling capabilities that
are required. Additional WMS modules can be purchased and added at any time. The
software will dynamically link to these subsequent modules at run time, automatically adding
additional modeling capability to the software.

IMPORTANT FEATURES OF WMS

Automated Watershed Delineation
Using digital terrain data, WMS can automatically delineate a watershed and sub-basins. As
part of the delineation process, basin data such as area, slope, mean elevation, maximum
flow distance, and many other commonly-used hydrologic parameters are automatically
computed. Many advanced features and options are included in WMS:

Use DEMs (grids) or TINs for delineation. This allows easy manipulation of the
elevation data in either type of dataset.
Add of any number of interior outlet points and the WMS subdivides the watershed
automatically.
Manipulate stream networks to represent man-made features or proposed changes
in the watershed.

As part of the delineation process, WMS finds all flow paths on the entire terrain model. This
allows one to inspect flow patterns anywhere inside/outside the watershed. Further, the
longest flow path in each sub-basin is stored for use with the Time of Concentration
Calculator.

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MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

Integrated GIS Tools

WMS allows the user to take advantage of all types of GIS data available for hydrologic and
hydraulic modeling. The GIS module of WMS includes a complete set of tools for importing,
creating, and manipulating GIS vector and raster data. ArcGIS/ArcView is not a required
component of the WMS software. WMS can work with the existing GIS data effectively with
or without ArcGIS. A few of the powerful tools in WMS include:

Direct linkage with ArcGIS

Terrain data can be created, merged, and manipulated using grids, TINs, or contour
lines.
Data layers such as land use and soil type can be clipped to match the watershed.
Attribute tables can be joined and queried.
Images (TIFF, JPEG, MrSID) can be geo-referenced, joined, and clipped.
Attributes from data layers can be assigned to the model using GIS overlay
operations.
New data tree interface allows you to turn on/off, change display, change
coordinate systems, and review contents of each data layer.
Coordinate System Conversions: Convert data between geographic and planar
coordinate systems.

Floodplain Modeling and Mapping

WMS can be used to run a HEC-RAS model or use other direct hydraulic analysis results, and
make use of the tools for floodplain delineation and mapping to create the results needed
for flood study. The powerful interpolation algorithms in WMS allow you to create flood
extents and flood depth maps using digital terrain data and water surface elevation data
points.
The channel hydraulics tools in WMS can be used to create approximate maps. If a detailed
analysis is needed, its possible to use the HEC-RAS interface and flood mapping tools
integrated in WMS.
The full process of flood modeling and mapping is integrated into a seamless process in
WMS. Simulation with any hydrologic model (HEC-1 or HMS, TR-20, TR-55, Rational Method,
MODRAT, NFF) can be performed, then the peak flow or the complete hydrograph can be
linked to a HEC-RAS model of the river channel in the watershed. The set up of HEC-RAS can
be completed with cross-section cutting, area attribute mapping (roughness values assigned
by polygons), and automated assignment of thalweg and bank locations and downstream
distances. Once a HEC-RAS simulation is completed, its possible to import the W.S.E. results
directly from the HEC-RAS project files and use them to determine the flooding extents and
depths on the terrain model in WMS.

2D (Distributed) Hydrology
A 2D hydrologic model is available in WMS. The GSSHA model is the perfect solution for
studies which require analysis of 2D surface flow and groundwater/surface water interaction.
The model uses a 2D finite-difference grid to analyze surface runoff, 1D channel hydraulics,
and groundwater interaction in a comprehensive hydrologic cycle model. Water quality and
sediment transport processes may also be modeled with GSSHA. Typical applications of this
model are:

Flood forecasting (depth and velocity over entire 2D domain)

Groundwater/surface water interaction modeling
Integrated stochastic modeling tools

Uncertainty in modeling parameters can be analyzed using the automated stochastic

modeling tools in WMS. These tools simplify and automate the process of varying certain
parameters (such as CN or roughness) in a model, creating a model input file, and running
the simulation over and over again. Some applications of this technique are:
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

27

Use HEC-1 with CN randomization to create probabilistic hydrograph results.

Use HEC-RAS with roughness randomization to create probabilistic water surface
elevation results.
Link HEC-1 and HEC-RAS in series with randomization to create probabilistic
floodplain maps.

Data Compatibility
WMS is compatible with numerous file formats. Some of the more popular data formats
supported by WMS are:

28

ArcGIS Raster (ASCII format) read elevation or attribute data in gridded format from
ArcGIS.
ESRI Shape files read all shapes and attributes into WMS.
DXF and DWG CAD files WMS now supports the latest versions of DXF and DWG.
TIFF, JPEG, and MrSID images images along with geo-referencing information can
be read by WMS.

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

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APPENDIX 2: FEATURES
AND APPLICATIONS OF
RIBASIM
OVERVIEW
RIBASIM (River Basin Simulation Model) is a tool for river basins planning and management.
It is a generic model package for analyzing the behavior of river basins under various
hydrological conditions. The model package is a comprehensive and flexible tool linking the
hydrological water inputs at various locations with the specific water-users in the basin.

Field of application
RIBASIM is designed for any analysis that requires simulating the water balance of a basin.
The resulting water balance provides the basic information on the available
quantity of water as well as the composition of the flow at every location and at any time in
the river basin. It provides the means to prepare such balances in required detail. A number
of basin performance parameters are generated for evaluation of the simulated situations.
The main applications of the model include:

30

Long-term basin planning: the preparation of long and mid-term basin plans (e.g.,
with a time horizon of 10 to 25 years). Various measures (technical, operational, and
institutional) can be analyzed with RIBASIM. Questions to be answered include: To
what extent is development possible? What potential conflicts among users may arise
and what are the impacts of various development alternatives?
Short-term (half- or one-year) water allocation scheduling: preparation of a seasonal
operation plan for the basin. RIBASIM can be used to determine a crop plan based on
reservoir storage and expected inflows.
In-season operation scheduling: during the season based on the actual situation in
the field, the actual rainfall and the updated forecasts an updated water allocation
schedule can be determined for the coming weeks or months. Questions that can be
answered include: What is the water allocation to users in case of water scarcity?
What is the impact of specific management options?
Flow forecasting systems: At any time, the flow, at various locations along the river, is
predicted based on forecasts of the catchment runoff and hydrologic routing of river
flow. The relevant question here is: What flow can we expect during the coming few
weeks or months at the intake of our drinking water reservoirs or irrigation scheme?
Model use as flow routing component within a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS):
Various hydrologic routing methods are available in RIBASIM (e.g., Manning formula,
Flow-level relation, two-layered multi segmented Muskingum formula, Puls method
and Laurenson non-linear lag and route method). The flow routing is executed on a
daily basis starting at any selected day for any number of days ahead.

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

OTHER APPLICATIONS OPTIONS

Reservoir operation
RIBASIM also contains a component for reservoir operation simulation used to model singleand multi-purpose reservoirs. The following aspects are taken into account:

Various outlets: main gate, turbine gate, spillway and any number of head sluices
Hydraulic characteristics of the reservoir and gates
Operation rule curves for flood control, maximum energy production, firm storage,
zoning of the reservoir storage and hedging (water rationing) of target releases
Hedging based on the target release (demand oriented) or based on the actual
storage (supply oriented)
Specific operation based on level control
Operation of groups of reservoirs in series and/or parallel
Operation based on expected reservoir inflow
Hydrological aspects: evaporation losses and rainfall input based on reservoir surface
area, seepage losses
Hydro-power station characteristics: head power capacity relation, head power
efficiency relation, discharge tail level relation, discharge head loss relation
Firm energy demand per time step with a water allocation priority fully taken into
account in the water allocation procedure on basin level
Computation of reservoir releases based on average reservoir level

Water management option

RIBASIM has a general setup. A variety of water management and water allocation
procedures can be modeled. The following features are available:

Water allocation priority

Operation rules of individual reservoirs and groups of reservoirs
Groundwater management rules
Operation rules of the diversion structures (weirs, gates)
Water allocation based on the computed target demands and target releases
Proportional water allocation

Evaluation of Basin performance

Using a set of simulations, usually made for a range of alternative development or
management strategies, the performance of the basin is evaluated in terms of:

Water allocation
Water shortages
Firm and secondary hydropower production
Overall river basin water balance (water accounting)
Flow composition
Crop production
Flood control
Water supply reliability
Groundwater use

Hydro-power production
Hydro-power production can be modeled at reservoirs hydro-power stations. Energy
production forms one of the water using activities in the river basins and is fully taken into
account in the water management options.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

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Hydrologic routing
RIBASIM accepts basically any time step size. However, most basin simulations are executed
on a:

Monthly basis
Half-monthly basis
Weekly basis
Daily basis

In most situations the selected simulation time is such that mass equations are used for the
simulations. In situations where this is not valid, RIBASIM offers various hydrologic channel
and reservoir routing procedure, such as:

The Manning formula

The flow-water level relation
The two-layered, multi-segmented Muskingum formula
The Puls method
The Laurenson non-linear "lag and route" method

Groundwater
RIBASIM contains a groundwater simulation component, which computes the aquifer water
balance taking into account the aquifer characteristics, the external inflows, groundwater
recharge, groundwater abstractions, and lateral flows:

Groundwater management options are available to simulate various measures

Conjunctive use of surface (river and reservoir) and groundwater can be modeled. For
irrigated agriculture the irrigation efficiency is differentiated based on the sources:
surface water (river, reservoir) and groundwater

Integration of water quality modeling

A quality model DELWAQ can be integrated into RIBASIM for modeling of chemical and
biological processes. RIBASIM computes the concentration of substances in each river reach
and water body, and the substance balance of each water user. Any number of substances
can be defined by the user like salt, Biological Oxygen Demand, Nitrogen, Phosphorus,
bacteria, and toxic substances. Natural and artificial purification of the water is taken into
account by modeling the natural retention in river reaches and water bodies and waste water
treatment plants.
The computation is based on the computed flow and water allocation pattern. The waste
generation (polluting substances concentration) at the system boundaries is specified as a
relation between the substance concentration of the abstracted water and the drainage flow
(e.g., from irrigation areas).

Modeling of agriculture water demand

Agriculture is the largest water user in the Oum Er Rbia and the Moulouya river basins. For
this reason modeling of the agriculture water demand and allocation is an essential element
for analyzing limited water resources in the basin. It supports various methods for dealing
with this type of demand such as direct specification of the gross demand, complete
agriculture water demand, water allocation, crop yield and production costs model
(DelftAGRI). For this more advanced modeling the following aspects are taken into account:

32

Topography and lay-out of the irrigation area

Crop and soil characteristics

MOROCCO ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS

Crop plan
Expected and actual rainfall
Reference evapotranspiration
Agriculture practice
Operation and irrigation water management
Actual field water balance
Crop survival fraction
Potential crop yield and production costs

RIBASIM has a fully interactive graphical tool for designing a crop plan. The crop plan
consists of the combination of cultivations, which are cultivated, the size of the cultivated
area, and the starting date of the cultivation. This tool is activated from the map. Using the
integrated agriculture water demand, water allocation, crop yield, and production costs
model, RIBASIM can be used for:

Interactive design of crop plan from map

Preparation of a crop plan on the irrigation scheme level
Preparation of a crop plan on command area and tertiary unit level
Preparation of a seasonal operation plan of a irrigation scheme
Preparation of reservoir operation rules for reservoir releases
Evaluation of the irrigation performance of a certain crop plan under various
hydrological scenarios

Integrated GIS Tool

RIBASIM is map oriented. A flexible modeling environment has been designed where the
modeling system is made independent of the users choice of GIS. This tool provides the user
with features not typically available under conventional GIS software but needed to carry out
a basin analysis. These features include:

Map viewer
Interactive design of a river basin network schematization consisting of nodes and
links
Editing of attribute data of each node and link
Visualization of spatial and temporal data on maps
Presentation of data in form of various types of graphs
Animation of time series data
Optimized processing of very long time series with high speed

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR WATER RESOURCES

33