Transboundary Aquifers: Challenges and New Directions Ramsheh plain technical and social analysis

[Transboundary Aquifers: Challenges and New Directions Ramsheh plain technical and social analysis]

Nowadays, in addition to the amount of surface and ground-water, its distribution and dispersion, ownership, political and geographical boundaries; utilization methods are among the head-on challenges. Transboundary aquifers, located along the political borders, on one hand are concerned with subjects which directly have effects on their preservation and sustainability and on the other, deal with direct and indirect parameters which can affect utilization potentials and their effects on stake-holders. Various complexities existing in transboundary aquifers between and/or among countries could be recognized inside the borders, e.g. between two adjacent provinces as well, which shows incremental sensitivity in the water industry. In Iran, serious challenges are caused due to the change of water basin management into provincial management. Ramsheh plain, located in the Isfahan province, is nourished by the Izadkhast river of the Fars province, especially, southern flank of Morvarid mountain. Gavkhoni wetland located in North–East, of the area is considered drainage of the plain. Based on traditional water right, the Izadkhast river has been used by Ramsheh inhabitants for agriculture and recharging of the plain. In addition, its flow has turned water- mills which dates back to some 250 years. In recent years, construction of Izadkhast dam in the Fars province for agricultural development has stopped the recharge of the Ramsheh aquifer causing transgression of high E.C. water into the aquifer. This technical investigation on the Ramsheh aquifer is focused on mathematical models, dealt with social problems and their historical evolution is also accessed. With the use of GMS model (Ground water modeling system) and based on geologic data and measurements of piezometers, the loss incurred by cutting off the water infiltrating into Ramsheh aquifer and its consequent effects on stake- holders, in terms of the Izadkhast dam construction, is evaluated.

UNESCO-IAH-UNEP

Language: Inglés

Format: PDF

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