Project:

Ground-Water Research Program for the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Since 1988 the USGS has been partnering with the National Drilling Company (NDC) of the Abu Dhabi Emirate to collect information on the ground-water resources of the Emirate, to conduct research on the hydrology of the arid environment, to provide training in water-resources investigations, and to document the results of the cooperative work in scientific publications. During the first decade of the Ground Water Research Program (GWRP), the USGS was responsible for project planning and management, as well as hydrologic research, and in-depth training. Since 1998 the NDC has taken over responsibility for project planning and management.

Currently the USGS provides technical assistance and oversight on all GWRP activities, conducts specific applied research in the areas of water use and availability, ground-water recharge, geochemistry, remote sensing, and GIS applications, and provides extensive hydrologic training to the 50-person local staff.

Three USGS employees are currently posted at the project office in Al Ain, although USGS staff was as large as 8 during the early years of the project. Several USGS scientists have been used on a TDY basis to complete specific technical activities and to serve as instructors at the training events. Funding is provided through the cooperative agreement with the NDC.