EVALUATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF QANATS IN IRAN

Qanats (infiltration tunnels) have been used in Iran for about 3000 years. Their role in farms irrigation and beverage water supply has been so efficient that the technique of qanat-making has been developed to one-fifth of the world countries too. Unfortunately, construction of deep and semi-deep wells, and uncontrolled water extraction from them have caused an intense drawdown of underground water level and loss of underground water tables. Considering uncontrolled water extraction, severe floods, and the type of precipitation regime in Jam and Riz catchments, watershed studies in this region seem to be necessary. In this research, orphologicalcharacteristics of qanats in Jam and Riz catchments, Boushehr are reviewed firstly. Then the study is concentrated on reformation and reclamation systems of this region. Collecting data information was carried out by providing the users with particular questionnaires. Finally, 24 qanats were identified in the region after doing field studies and reconnaissance. Their average age and average discharge estimated 934 years and 12.22l /s, respectively. The results of this research show that out of eight factors of mending and maintaining operations, not dredging and not coating of the streams have led to failure of qanats and reduction in their discharge.

EVALUATION OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF QANATS IN IRAN Keywords:

qanat , well , dredging , aquifer management , Jam and Riz