Lake Iriqui’s Remarkable Revival: Field Observations and a Google Earth Engine Analysis of Its Recovery After over Half a Century of Desiccation

Adil Moumane (), Tarik Bahouq, Ahmed Karmaoui (), Dahmane Laghfiri, Mohamed Yassine, Jamal Al Karkouri, Mouhcine Batchi, Mustapha Faouzi, Mohamed Boulakhbar and Ali Ait Youssef
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Adil Moumane: Department of Geography, Faculté Des Sciences Humaines Et Sociales, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Tarik Bahouq: Department of Geography, Faculté Des Sciences Humaines Et Sociales, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Ahmed Karmaoui: Faculty of Science and Techniques (Health and Environment Research Team), Errachidia, Moulay Ismail University (UMI), Meknes 50000, Morocco
Dahmane Laghfiri: Association les Amis de L’environnement, Zagora 47900, Morocco
Mohamed Yassine: Caravane du Sud, Zagora 47900, Morocco
Jamal Al Karkouri: Department of Geography, Faculté Des Sciences Humaines Et Sociales, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Mouhcine Batchi: Department of Geography, Faculté Des Sciences Humaines Et Sociales, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco
Mustapha Faouzi: Agence Nationale pour le Développement des Zones Oasiennes et de l’Arganier (ANDZOA), Zagora 47900, Morocco
Mohamed Boulakhbar: Agence Nationale pour le Développement des Zones Oasiennes et de l’Arganier (ANDZOA), Zagora 47900, Morocco
Ali Ait Youssef: Department of Geography, Faculté Des Sciences Humaines Et Sociales, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra 14000, Morocco

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-25

Abstract: In September 2024, following two rare storms, Lake Iriqui in southern Morocco experienced a remarkable revival after five decades of desiccation. Historically, the lake played an important role as one of the largest water bodies before the Sahara Desert, serving as a critical stopover in migratory routes for various bird species. Two field missions documented this event: the first confirmed the lake’s reappearance, while the second recorded the resurgence of the ecosystem and the return of migratory birds, last observed in the lake in 1968. The lake’s surface water extent, which had been completely dry, expanded dramatically, reaching over 80 km 2 after the first storm and subsequently increasing to approximately 146 km 2 following the second. This event has drawn considerable attention from international and national media. The revival was monitored using satellite imagery from Landsat 8 and 9 and Sentinel-2A, processed through Google Earth Engine (GEE), with the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) applied to detect water presence. A time-series analysis revealed significant changes in the lake’s surface water extent following the rainfall. This study emphasizes the need for proactive support to preserve Lake Iriqui, aligning with sustainable development goals: SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). These goals highlight the importance of sustainable water resource management, biodiversity conservation, and eco-tourism initiatives to benefit local communities.

Keywords: Iriqui Lake; SDG; Google Earth Engine; Morocco (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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