Decrease of Sidi Mohamed Ben Ali lake water levelby Abdessamad Belfekroun | 18-10-2018 20:48 |
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 ¡°Sidi Mohamed Ben Ali¡± lake is 3 kilometers away from ¡°Sidi Bel Abbes¡± city and is connected to ¡°Mekerra¡± valley which passes through the city by two channels. So, It contributes to the purification of contaminated water and protects the city of Sidi Bel Abbes from floods. The lake has been hit by an ecological disaster due to the decrease in water level because of: -Disruption of the manual pumping station that feeds the lake by water -The first outlet of the station is closed by a company which builds a wastewater pumping station until the completion of the works while the second outlet is blocked by wastes -The two channels that supply the lake with water are in a deteriorating situation, some parts are destroyed and others are blocked by waste and grass. The water level of the lake has decreased by 3 meters, and water is no longer submerged in reeds, which are the habitat for many species of birds, especially ducks, and the aquatic organisms compete for Dissolved Oxygen in water and Water Snakes have become a threat to the lake's visitors by contact¡¯s increasing with them. Civil society in Sidi Bel Abbes sounded the alarm and the authorities and various governmental bodies and private companies intervened to save the lake. The channels are now being cleaned of waste and mud and repaired. It was also noted the need to put the lake under serious management after solving this problem. |
