Watershed prioritization and hydro-morphometric analysis for the potential development of Tabuk Basin, Saudi Arabia using multivariate statistical analysis and coupled RS-GIS approach

The Tabuk province of Saudi Arabia (SA) has an arid zone, few aquifers, high groundwater salinity (seawater intrusion), and accelerated population, industrial, and agricultural development. The development of Tabuk Basin is essential for the addition of new freshwater resources and the enhancement of aquifer recharge potential. The hydrological characteristics of the drainage basin aid in the identification of watersheds, enabling the protection and management of land erosion and ground/surface water resources. This study analyzed hydromorphometric data from the eighteen sub-basins of the Tabuk Basin using multivariate statistical approaches and coupled remote sensing (RS) and geographic information systems (GIS) for water priority determination. The results show that the four principal components (PC1-4) have a variance of 90.4% concerning bifurcation ratio (Rb), ruggedness number (Rn), elongation ratio (Re), drainage density (Dd), basin relief (Bh), circularity ratio (Rc), and relief ratio (Rh). The Al Ula, Thaibah, Hamd, Dama, Al Wajh, Al Ghamra, and Azlam sub-basins showed the highest priority, indicating soil erosion and the necessity for mitigating measures to reduce infrastructure damage. Most exposed geology (67%) exhibited strong permeability and good infiltration (sedimentary cover and Quaternary sediments). The rest (23%) showed low to medium permeability (igneous, metamorphic, and carbonate rocks). The best promising sites for building new wells can reduce surface runoff and soil erosion through aquifer infiltration and abstraction. The aquifer potentiality map was accomplished for Al Ula, Thaibah, Hamd, and Dama drainage basins. The most prospective groundwater investigation regions were identified, coinciding with the drilled wells that confirmed and validated the results. The estimated zones of high to very high aquifer potentiality were used to add additional wells for investment reduce soil erosion, mitigate alternatives, agriculture, urbanization, etc. The other sub-basins have a medium to low priority, with less soil erosion and aquifer recharge.

Automated summary

The development of Tabuk Basin in Saudi Arabia is crucial for increasing freshwater resources and improving aquifer recharge potential due to its arid conditions, limited aquifers, high groundwater salinity, and rapid population, industrial, and agricultural growth. This study used statistical analysis, remote sensing, and GIS to determine water priority in the eighteen sub-basins of the Tabuk Basin. The findings identified the sub-basins with the highest priority for soil erosion mitigation and highlighted promising sites for building new wells to reduce surface runoff and soil erosion through aquifer infiltration and abstraction.