Looking for ground water inside Egypt

By: Prof. Dr. M. Sabry Youssef (PhD)

Time lagged during evolution from dowsing to resistivity in looking for ground water inside the earth.

I was attracted to this field since 1946 during my postgraduate study for the Diploma in Geophysics in Cairo University.

Meanwhile, I was able to fulfill the following achievements:

1- Published three papers on the evaporation of ground water.

2- Obtained the M.Sc. degree in 1953.

3- Obtained the Diploma in applied geophysics in 1954.

4- Published three papers on representation and interpretation of ground water analyses.

5- Constructed my first Resistivity Apparatus in 1955.

6- Carried out the first geo-electric exploration in Eastern Desert of Egypt using my own equipment in 1956.

7- Obtained the Ph.D. degree in 1958.

8- Appointed Chief Geophysicist, Geological Survey of Egypt, from 1958 - 1978

9- Ground Water in Arab Nations, my text book in Arabic, published by the Egyptian Academy of Science and Technology in 1998.

    

Ground water exploration in Egypt

I spent more than fifty years looking for ground water in Egypt, using my own updated equipment.

The major Egyptian territories were nearly investigated in the following three water fields discovered, are briefly described among other successful examples related to prolific aquifers supporting various projects.

Water fields discovered:

I- A ground water field was discovered near EI Sokhna region in the   Northern Eastern desert by the application of electrical resistivity method.

This discovery supported the water supply for Cement Industry in the region.

II- Dry wells beside the river Nile. I was able to solve this problem by the application of the electrical resistivity method and locate favorable sites for production wells.

This occurred near Kom Ombo region in Upper Egypt where the river Nile cuts through impervious clay formations overlying pervious old drainage.

Inland percolation of Nile water was thus only possible wherever the above condition prevailed.

III. An old Nile branch

Chemical Industry was established at Aswan depending on the electric power generated by the High Dam. Water needed was obtained from the wells drilled within the premises of the chemical plant. After many years of production the water wells suffered from troubles and depletion.

 I was thus called for diagnosis, investigations and recommendations:

The discovery accomplished

       1- Reconnaissance geological survey and review of literature related to Aswan Region, confirmed the discovery of the Old Nile Branch running along Wadi EL Bowirat. This branch migrated westward, two times to its present channel, leaving Wadi EL Bowirat as a dry valley supplying, but still connected in its subsurface with the main stream supplying a ground water table.

       2- Electrical Resistivity Sounding (VES) along Wadi EL Bowirat confirmed by interpretation and verified by drilling.

       3- Wells drilled produced enough supply of fresh potable ground water enough to support the chemical industry in Aswan.

Ground Water Problems

In addition to my Ground water exploration and discoveries in Egypt several hydrological problems have been solved.

Among the most important is the following, which remained during the last century without sufficient evidence.

Sources of Ground Water in western Desert of Egypt

Conclusions:

I.Southern Regions:

Mainly Darb El Arbaein & East Oweinat

1- An Autochtone  ground water region.

2- Source mainly local rainfall during pluvial periods

          II. Oases Region

                  An  Allochtone ground water region.

The Egyptian Nationality for the Oases Water:

The Oases water acquired its Egyptian nationality by birth on top of the Red Sea Mountains in the Eastern Desert of Egypt from the heavy rainfall during Pluvial periods, thousands of years ago.

            III. Northern Region

       1- An Autochtone  ground water region.

       2- Present local rainfall is the source of ground water which is

            the only rechargeable fresh water in Egypt.