Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 University of Tabriz
2 2- Ph.D. Student of Hydrogeology, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
3 M.Sc. student of Hydrogeology, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
4 Deim Gostaran Sabz Atiyeh Company
Abstract
Water scarcity in arid and semi-arid regions—particularly across watersheds in southeastern Iran—has become a major environmental and development challenge. This study aimed to identify and zonate suitable areas for flood spreading with managed aquifer recharge (MAR) potential in the Polchamani watershed (Iranshahr, Iran). A GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework was employed, in which criteria were weighted using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The thematic layers were then standardized and integrated through fuzzy operators. The main criteria included slope, Quaternary alluvial depositional units, soil permeability, groundwater depth, land use/land cover, aquifer transmissivity, and distance to stream channels.
The results showed that areas characterized by slopes below 1%, permeable alluvial deposits, and groundwater depths greater than 50 m exhibit the highest suitability for flood-spreading implementation. Moreover, rangelands (particularly those adjacent to stream channels) and, to a lesser extent, bare lands, were identified as more favorable land-use classes for enhancing MAR, provided that appropriate hydrogeological conditions are met. According to the weighting outcomes, land use/land cover, groundwater depth, soil permeability, and slope were the most influential criteria in site selection. Ultimately, approximately 1,755 ha of the study area were classified as highly suitable. The findings provide a practical basis for planning flood-spreading projects and supporting sustainable water-resources management in similar arid and semi-arid environments.
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