GIS hydrogeological analysis
The work of a hydrogeological GIS study (preparing layers, scoring, weighting, checking) done automatically and described in a report you can present.
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The layers of the analysis
A GIS groundwater potential study overlays layers that influence recharge, storage and the movement of water. BhdBlue prepares up to 11 of them on a single 30 m grid:
- Lithology: the 1:1,000,000 geological map of Morocco, reclassified by the rocks' ability to hold water.
- Lineament density: faults and fractures extracted from the terrain.
- Drainage density and distance to streams.
- Slope, flow accumulation and the topographic wetness index (TWI), from the Copernicus DEM.
- 10-year average rainfall (CHIRPS), soil texture (SoilGrids), land cover (ESA WorldCover).
- Dry-season NDVI (Sentinel-2), and the extent of mapped aquifers.
Scoring, weighting and checking
Each layer is reclassified into a 0 to 1 score. Weights come from a pairwise comparison matrix (Saaty's AHP), with a checked consistency ratio. The order of importance follows published studies: lithology, then mapped aquifers, lineaments, rainfall and slope, drainage, TWI, soil and land cover, streams and NDVI.
A Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis then repeats the calculation many times (150 draws by default) with perturbed weights. The report shows, for each zone, the share of tests in which its class does not change.
The results delivered
- Groundwater potential map in five classes.
- Class stability map and the criterion that weighs most at each proposed spot.
- Best drilling spots with GPS coordinates, KML file.
- PDF report in French and Arabic describing the data, the weights and the limits.
A transparent method
The sources (Copernicus, Sentinel-2, CHIRPS, SoilGrids, OpenStreetMap, geological map) are public and cited in the report. BhdBlue does not claim to measure the depth or yield of the aquifer: it narrows the search area and prepares the field survey.
Method and limits
- The 30 m grid is the spatial resolution of the analysis, not a guaranteed accuracy for a drilling spot.
- BhdBlue does not estimate the depth of the water table, its yield or volume, water salinity, or a probability of drilling success.
- The flow direction shown is that of surface water, derived from the terrain, not of the aquifer.
- Before a major borehole, have the spot confirmed by a hydrogeologist or an on-site geophysical survey.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the GIS layers?
The report shows the map of each criterion, and the KML file of the best spots opens in Google Earth or a GIS. For specific needs, contact us.
Is the method recognised?
Combining GIS, remote sensing and AHP is widely used in groundwater potential studies published around the world. BhdBlue applies it automatically and documents it.
Has the result been validated?
The report shows how stable each result is. Comparing the map with known boreholes in the area is the best local validation; we can help you do it.
More guides
Groundwater detection in Morocco
Find the zones most favourable to groundwater on your land, anywhere in Morocco, using satellites and the national geological map.
Satellite groundwater mapping
Satellites cannot see underground, but they can see the traces groundwater leaves at the surface. Here is how BhdBlue reads them, and what to expect.
Groundwater potential assessment
A groundwater potential map of your land, cell by cell at 30 m, built from open satellite data and a widely used multi-criteria method.
Groundwater exploration
The desk study for your groundwater exploration campaign in a few minutes instead of several days: favourable zones, targets to check on the ground and a report ready to share.
Where to drill a well
The choice of site decides whether a well or borehole succeeds. Here is what really matters, and how to find the best spots on your land in a few minutes.
Ready to find water on your land?
A free trial analysis, then the plan that suits you.