88 - Wadi (Uad) El Jat, Western Sahara

Runs N to El Aaiún.

(c) The Oued el Jat
General: The Saguiat el Hamra cuts through the Drafi Afrafir below the Springs of Messeit,and is joined by the Oued el Jat almost immediately to the east of these hills. This oued flowsfrom south to north, parallel with the line of the hills, joining the Saguiat el Hamra at Edchera(27°02'N/13°05'W). On the floor of this watercourse too, there is a series of marshy areas withmoist sands and small gueltas. The most important are in the Ugranat District and are, fromsouth to north, the Sebkhets Ugranat (26° 11 '-26°16'N/ 13°10'W) and El Jat (26°27'-26°38'N/13°07'W). These sandy pans are saline and subject to fairly frequent, albeit irregular,inundation, and there are some fresh water springs in the gorge walls.Flora & Fauna: Some trees grow along the oued, including Hyphaene thebaica andTamarix africana, and marshy patches support grasses, sedges, rushes and reeds. We haveno details of the fauna.Human Impact & Utilisation: We have no information.Conservation Status: Unprotected