Oued Merguellil

Oued Merguellil (وادي مرق الليل) is a stream in central Tunisia that flows via Sebkhet Cherita Lake, into the Mediterranean Sea at the Gulf of Hammamet.

Oued Merguellil is found at 35° 50′ 34″ N, 10° 16′ 18″ E in central Tunisia. The stream flow is irregular with a variation of 300mm through the year in the catchment basin. During Roman Times the area was intensely farmed and today irrigation from the stream goes to Olive and Apricot production. The El Haouareb Dam is on the stream.

Traces of human presence dating back to the Lower Paleolithic were found in the basin of the river Merguellil and demonstrate the antiquity of the settlement of the area by nomads.

Upon arrival, the Romans, became the first sedentary occupants, settled mainly in areas rich in water from the upstream reservoir, more development of housing and of agriculture and where various relics were found. They used techniques for using runoff water, including the construction of water harvesting structures, and develop olive growing - activity shown by the many olive presses found - but also the livestock and grain farming .

From the 7th century , the various invasions destroy existing facilities. The Arab, Zlass tribe finally settled in the plain, confining the Berbers in the mountains as Jebel Ousselat. The Arabs do not bring new farming techniques and focus on urban development. Kairouan is well equipped with a large water development, the Aghlabid pools, which collects the waters of the watershed to supply the city with drinking water.

The 18th and 19th centuries, saw the area retain a nomadic economy but the region and the poverty that affects areas steppe. When French colonists settled in the valley in the late they established large plantations, and force the nomads off the steppe into the mountains . Two large French only areas were established to export grain, livestock products and the arboriculture to France. Thse were one at site of El Haouareb dam (3700 hectares ) and the other at Haffouz and Oueslatia (8000 hectares). The modernized agriculture profoundly changed the agricultural landscape, including the destruction of traditional water collection facilities. Ally plowing quickly cause erosion and a significant decrease in soil fertility.

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Wikipedia