Download quantitative maps of groundwater productivity, storage and depth to groundwater. Each map is available for download as a 5 km-resolution grid (XYZ ASCII file) and a high-resolution PDF file. The quantitative maps are the first produced for Africa and are underpinned by dedicated case studies and systematic data and literature reviews. They are designed to show information at the continental or regional scale (nominally at 1:20 million).
Detailed description of the methodology and a full list of data sources used to develop the groundwater storage and productivity maps can be found in a peer-reviewed paper, Quantitative maps of groundwater resources in Africa on the maps and Supplementary data, both published in Environmental Research Letters.
You can access a full description of the methodology used to develop the depth of groundwater map from An initial estimate of depth to groundwater across Africa.
Please read the terms and conditions of usage of the maps.
The maps
Groundwater productivity
The groundwater productivity map indicates what borehole yields can reasonably be expected in different hydrogeological units. The ranges indicate the approximate interquartile range of the yield of boreholes that have been sited and drilled using appropriate techniques.
- Download the groundwater productivity map as a PDF, 4.15MB
- Download the groundwater productivity map as an XYZ ASCII file, 2.79MB (includes a readme text file)
Groundwater storage
Groundwater storage was estimated by combining the saturated aquifer thickness and effective porosity of aquifers across Africa. An effective porosity range was assigned for each aquifer flow or storage type, based on a series of studies across Africa and surrogates in other parts of the world.
- Download the groundwater storage map as a PDF, 87KB
- Download the groundwater storage map as an XYZ ASCII file, 2.78MB (includes a readme text file)
Depth to groundwater
Depth to groundwater was modelled using an empirical rules-based approach, where depth to groundwater was assigned according to rainfall and aquifer type, as well as proximity to rivers.
- Download the depth to groundwater map as a PDF, 106KB
- Download the depth to groundwater map as an XYZ ASCII file, 2.73MB (includes a readme text file)
Contact
Please contact Alan MacDonald for more information.