Two interconnected water transfers for irrigation and drinking water, a structuring project for the high plains of Setif

Abstract

The “High Plains of Setif” is a mega water transfer project located in Northern Algeria and is divided into two systems: the Western system and the Eastern system. The Western system consists of a new dam and a water transfer of over twenty kilometres and aims at providing irrigation and drinking water for the Setif region. The Eastern system consists of two new dams and a water transfer of more than fifty kilometers, and aims to transfer water between the dams of Tabellout (Oued Djendjen) and Draa Diss for irrigation and l drinking water in the El-Eulma region. The whole project concerns a volume of 310 million m3 water per year transferred for the irrigation of 40,000 hectares, and drinking water for more than 1,300,000 inhabitants by 2040. The aim of this report is to present the mega project of the “High Plains of Setif”, which constitutes a first experience in Algeria ensuring the interconnection of several reservoirs in the territories to be irrigated. Some design adaptations as well as the multiuse of water in the project will also be discussed.