A New Classification of Traditional Water Harvesting Systems
A consideration of current classifications of traditional water systems in North Africa and the Middle East led Fekri Hassan to develop an alternative classification. The proposed system is based on an initial categorization of water harvesting systems on the basis of the source of water (rainfall, surface runoff, river flood discharge, wadi flow, groundwater, and air humidity). Water harvesting systems are then classified on the basis of the nature of modification of the earth surface into subtractive features creating depressions (e.g., reservoirs, pits, holes, conduits, cisterns, wells) and additive features creating elevated landforms (bunds, ridges, mounds, walls, dams). Combinations of these elements create multiplex water harvesting systems (negarim, foggaras, terracing).
The following diagrams illustrate the logic behind the new classification:
Fig. 2.—Classifcatiction of Water Harvesting Techniques by the author
