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Sierra Leone
Water Company

Guinea 10
0 HYDROGEOLOGICAL MAP
OF SIERRA LEONE
2017
9°30'0"N

Version 1 June 2017

Scale 1:700,000
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Geographic Projection

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WGS84

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EXPLANATORY NOTES:

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The Hydrogeology of Sierra Leone map depicts the distribution of the three main hydrogeologic units at a national scale. The

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Hydrogeology of Sierra Leone map is a useful tool for hydrogeologists, groundwater specialists, and water-resources managers

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and planner in developing and protecting water resources in Sierra Leone. In addition, this map can serve as a catalyst in

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Kambia promoting future research within areas where current hydrogeologic information is limited or insufficient. The Hydrogeology of
Sierra Leone map was developed by reviewing available hydrologic and hydrogeologic data, analysis of remote sensing data, and
field (in situ) measurements of spot locations. A map of the estimated water-table elevation is also shown, based on observed
piezometric measurements at spot point locations of certain areas of the country taken during the dry season of 2016-2017. The

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Estimated Depth-to-Groundwater (see inset) map depicts an estimate of the distance (m) from the land surface to the surface of

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9°0'0"N

the water table, also referred to as the "unsaturated zone thickness". In drilling terms, it is the estimated depth at which the
surface of the first aquifer is positioned. In existing boreholes or wells, it is the natural groundwater level that is not influenced by
abstraction or artificial recharge, also known as Static Water Level (SWL). The map can be useful in a number of applications,
Makeni including in the planning of the construction design of new boreholes and wells, as well as other development activity (eg. roads,
buildings and sewers). It can be used as a baseline to identify changes in the groundwater levels resulting from changes in
natural or human-induced causes, and can help identify areas where more detailed studies and supplemental data are needed to
provide for greater resolution. This map can also be a useful tool for nonpoint source issues such as the application of pesticides
and fertilizers. The map was used as a basic step in thte assessment of the Groundwater Vulnerability of Sierra Leone (2017) map.
The method of analysis used to estimate the depth-to-groundwater relied on water-level data measured in situ from shallow
boreholes, hand-dug wells and surface-water features during field work undertaken in November-December 2016 and April 2017.
The model takes into account Sierra Leone's physiographic provinces. Kriging was applied to maximize the use of existing data
and produce a grid filtered with nine nodes, averaging 30 passes. The results have been scrutinized to ensure that the
Koidu interpolation is consistent with available hydrogeologic information. The Estimated Depth-to-Groundwater map generally is
representative of the average conditions in the study area; however, the actual depth of the surface of the water table may differ
250 from the estimated position at specific locations, and short-term, seasonal, and long-term variations in the differences can be
expected. Site-specific estimates of the depth-to-groundwater in areas of steep land-surface relief, steep water-table gradients,

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abrupt local change in hydrogeologic properties, or strong stresses to the groundwater system such as focused recharge or
pumping, may result in depths-to-groundwater that deviate from the average. Users are cautioned to consider the nature of the
8°30'0"N

FREETOWN 200
information presented here before making decisions using it that concern personal or public safety or the conduct of business that
200 involves substantial monetary or operational consequences. Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of this
information or other hydrologic data may be obtained from the report or from the Ministry of Water Resources and/or SALWACO.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
The Hydrogeology map of Sierra Leone was produced by Hydro Nova, LLC (USA) for the Sierra Leone Water Company on behalf of
Waterloo the Ministry of Water Resources of Sierra Leone. The production of this map was delivered under the Consultancy Services for
Groundwater Mapping project (Contract No. SO2/RWSSP/HM/2016) and financed under the African Development Bank’s Rural
Water Supply Sanitation Project (RWSSI-TF Grant No.: 5800155001151). The following organizations made valuable contributions
25 0 towards the development of the map through the provision of data – Edal Drilling Company, Water Resources Section of the Water
Directorate (Ministry of Water Resources), the Planning and Research Department (SALWACO), and the Office of the Chief of Staff
of the President of Sierra Leone (State House).

Bibliographic reference for this publication:

Fileccia, A., Teatini, P., Walther, C. and Mastrocola, P. (2017). Hydrogeology of Sierra Leone. Hydro Nova, New Braunfels, Texas,
USA.
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1 50 Cartography
Liberia
8°0'0"N

Teatini, P., Isotton, G., Walther, C., Mastrocola, P., Zorz, A. and Cultrera M. for Hydro Nova, New Braunfels, Texas, USA.
Bo
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ST
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Gambia Mali Burkina R I
CA
1 00 Guinea-Bissau Faso
Guinea Benin
Nigeria
SIERRA Togo
Cote Ghana

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LEONE Liberia d'Ivoire
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8 5 Location diagram of Sierra Leone

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7 6
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11 LEGEND hydraulic ground water divide
3 (varies during the year, inferred from water table readings)
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April 2017
International Boundary
2 MAKENI physical groundwater divide, fiixed during the year
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Capital (inferred from topographic relief and river pattern)
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District Capital Water-table elevation contour, 50-meter interval, December 2016

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KOIDU 6
Water-table elevation contour, 50-meter interval, April 2017
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Fractured aquifer
December 2016
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9

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FREETOWN
Porous aquifer
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Estimated Depth-to-Groundwater

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WATERLOO Non aquifer
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5 Estimated Depth-to-Groundwater contour -- in 1-meter intervals

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Groundwater data point

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6 Estimated Depth-to-Groundwater
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7 Catchment Basins
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below land surface -- in meters

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KENEMA Main groundwater flow direction

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Atlantic 6
DISCLAIMER
Liberia Although great care was taken in the preparation of this map, the authors cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage
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Ocean No Readings

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5 emanating from its use. This map must not be considered an authority on the delimitation of international and other boundaries.
2 3 Information concerning the accuracy and appropriate uses of this information or other hydrologic data may be obtained from the
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report or from the Ministry of Water Resources and/or SALWACO.
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2 3 COPYRIGHT
Published by the Government of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Water Resources, Freetown, Sierra Leone in partnership with SALWACO.
© Government of Sierra Leone (Ministry of Water Resources), 2017. With exception of the Sierra Leone Coat of Arms, all material
7°0'0"N

in this publication is provided under license by the Ministry of Water Resources.

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Copies of this map may be downloaded from the SALGRID internet site at: http://www.salgrid.org/, or by contacting:
6°30'0"N

0 15 30 60 km ESTIMATED DEPTH-TO-GROUNDWATER, Salone Groundwater Resources Database (SALGRID), Coordinator,

OBSERVED TRENDS, 2016-2017 DRY SEASON Ministry of Water Resources, 127 Kuku Drive, Off Jomo Kenyatta Road, Brookfields, Freetown,
Sierra Leone