Extreme hydrological dynamics in the Upper Inaouène Basin (Morocco): summary of research and prospects in the face of climate change

ABSTRACT

The Upper Inaouène watershed, located in northern Morocco, is characterised by marked hydrological variability and recurrent extreme events, particularly floods and droughts. This review synthesizes hydrological research conducted on the watershed between 1971 and 2025, focusing on extreme hydrological dynamics, hydrological and hydraulic modelling, water quality, and climate-related pressures. A structured literature review was conducted using scientific databases and institutional sources, with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The reviewed studies show that the watershed is highly sensitive to both flood and drought conditions, while recent research increasingly relies on hydrological modelling, hydraulic simulation, remote sensing, and water-quality assessment. However, the synthesis also reveals important limitations, including fragmented and discontinuous hydrometeorological records, heterogeneous methodological approaches, limited model calibration and validation, insufficient integration between hydrology, climate, land use, and water quality, and limited consideration of hydrological non-stationarity. These limitations constrain the robust assessment of long-term changes and future hydrological extremes. Future research should therefore combine historical and recent observations, spatial data, hydrological and hydraulic modelling, and climate projections within an integrated framework adapted to non-stationary conditions. Such an approach is essential for improving flood and drought assessment and supporting sustainable water-resource management in the Upper Inaouène and the broader Sebou basin.