1. In the Name of Allah
Watershed Management
in Iran
with emphasis on
erosion and sediment
control
By : Seyed abolfazl mirghasemi
2. Contents :
• Objectives
• History and evolution of watershed
management
• Natural Features Of Iran (climate, land use ,geology)
• Reservoir dams of Iran
• Soil erosion in Iran
• Planning for erosion study & control
• Applied Measures
3. Objectives :
Conservation and development of water,
soil and plant resources
Soil erosion and sediment control
Flood control & spreading
Ground water Recharge & Mitigation of
drought Consequences
Improvement of living standards and welfare
of local communities;
4. History of watershed Management
In iran
• IRAN has practiced Watershed Management
since 3000 years ago. The historical
hydraulic structures , water harvesting
systems , water supply systems and working
on hillslope shows the efforts of Iranians in
the past.
• Qanats, construction of earth dams, Masonry
dams, Irrigation Canals, Traditional Rain Water
Harvesting System (khoshab & bandsar) and
terracing on steep slopes for cultivation are
some of the examples.
8. History and evolution of
Watershed Management in Iran
FAO report about critical situation of
Soil Erosion in Iran
in 1958
Establishment of
Soil & Water Conservation Committee
in 1958
Implementation of
Soil Conservation Pilot Project, by FAO
in 1959
9. Flood Damages in 1968
and
Sedimentation Problems in the Reservoir of 6 Big Dams
Establishment of Soil Technical Office in 1968
Restarting of Watershed Management Activities
in Karaj, Sefid-Rood and Dez River Basins, in 1969
Preparation of the First Watershed Management Master Plan
by Iranian experts in 1976
10. Progress in Watershed Management Activities
caused necessity of Coordination & Cooperation
Establishment of Watershed Management Superior Council in 1972
Establishment of Bureau of
Soil Conservation and Watershed Management in1972
Separation of Wind & Water Erosion Controls sectors in 1973
11. Reform in Watershed Management Organization and
establishment of Watershed Management Deputy
under Ministry of Jihad-e-Sazandegi in 1991
Similar / Parallel works between
Watershed Management Deputy & Forest and Range Organization
Reform in Watershed Management Organization by considering both sectors
under one Organization SINCE 2001
14. Climate:
• Predominant climate of Iran is Arid – Semi Arid
• Mean annual of precipitation is 250 mm
• Rainfall ranging from 50 – 2000 mm
• %75 of precipitation in autumn- winter & %25 in
spring
15. :Forest
Land use in Iran
Million ha. 14.3
:Range
Desert:
Cultivated land & etc
85
Million ha. 32.8
27.6
Million ha.
Million ha.
19. Geological description
• Iran is divided into 4 geological zones:
• 1- Alborzo Zone
• 2-Zagros zones
• 3- khuzestan plain
• 4- central iran zones
• Existence of extensive neogene rocks and
quaternary deposits are the main sources of
sediment
22. Soil erosion in Iran
Gully
Sheet &Rill
Landslide
Bank erosion
23. Area under Accelerated
Soil Erosion
Quantity of erosion in
Iran
Million ha. 125
B tones / yr Total annual Soil erosion
Area with High Runoff:
Specific Erosion
Area under Floods
2
Million ha. 91
Tons/ha /yr
255 Cities
8650 Villages
Roads & Infrastructures
20000 Qanats
1000000 ha Arable Lands
16.45
38. Planning & study for W.M
• Watershed planning in 3 scale is
implemented
• 1- First phase on Scale(1:250000)
• 2- second phase on Scale 1:50000
• 3- Third phase on scale 1:25000
39. Basins and watersheds of Iran
• Iran is divided into 6
great basins:
• 1-Caspian Sea
• 2- Qaraqoom
• 3- hamoon
• 4- Persian Gulf & Oman
Sea
• 5-Orumieh lake
• 6- Central Desert
39
40. Erosion & sediment control Measures
• Structural Measures:
• 1- Designing and implementation
different types of Check dams
• 2- Designing Of small earthdam
• 2- Bio mechanical
measures on hillside
• 3- biological measures like
seedling and plantation of
fodder crops
• River engineering
• Flood spreading
45. The objectives of work
on Hillside are:
• Stabilizing of slopes & erosion control
• Rainwater harvesting
• Improving vegetation cover
• Increasing crop production (fruits and alfalfa)
• Improving incomes and welfare of local
people
• Improving food security and self sufficiency
46. Characteristics of WM projects
• Suitable land : Approximately 3.7 mha
• Executed : 245000 ha
• Planned for 5 years : 1 mha
• Type of Activities : Terracing , banquette ,
• Maine products: Olive, Almond, walnut, apple,
orange, Strawberry , grape, alfalfa
• Contribution of People
• Having Support of Government
66. Conclusion & recommendation
• Small Dam construction is useful for flood
control of heavy storm rainfalls
• Small scale water resource development &
Rainwater harvesting techniques are very
useful for arid & semi-arid region
• Biological & bio-mechanical measure have
high priority because they are
multipurpose and have more benefits to
local communities and also environment