Numerical Modelling of Waterlogging Problem in New Urbanized Communities in Al-Qairawan area, Kuwait

Abstract

Expanding the urbanization of new communities within the limited low flat desert surfaces of Al-Qairawan area, Kuwait has started to face the continuous growth of population. The traditional urbanized logged areas affect urbanization of these flat desert surfaces as a result of the difference in the topographic level, inadequate drainage system and the existence of inland Sabkhas beside shallow-depth clay lenses beneath these sites. Moreover, the soil water depths vary from few centimeters below ground surface to 5.5 m and the soil-water moves generally from the southwest to the northeast towards the Arabian Gulf. The present paper threw light on a trial to mitigate the waterlogging problem due to the bad use of water resources in Gardening-irrigation activities in the relatively highland areas of the present traditional urbanized communities in Al-Qairawan area applying mathematical modeling. The groundwater flow model, Visual MODFLOW v.3, was used to test the reliability of the proposed solution for mitigation and its limitation. Three proposed scenarios for mitigation of waterlogging problem were checked. Decreasing the soil water level using wall sheet system was proposed as a first scenario. The second scenario proposed suitable dewatering system while the third one assumed the construction of transverse open drainage system in the southern boundary of the study area. The results showed that the third scenario was the best solution since it reflected both the lowest soil water level (2.72m) and least cost economically (146250 Kuwait-Dinar). Accordingly, the solution concerning soil water rise control in the study area through applying the construction of transverse open drain in the southern boundary of the study water logged area is highly recommended.