Study on the impacts of inter-basin water transfer: Northern Karun

This study aimed to investigate the effects of inter-basin water transfer projects from Northern Karun basin to Zayanderud basin in Iran, with emphasis to Beheshtabad water transfer project. For this purpose the situation of water resources of Northern Karun basin was modeled by using WEAP model. This model was calibrated by 10 years data (1995 to 2004) and then the model was run for a 30 years period. Results showed that Northern Karun basin water resources for transferring to Zayanderud basin should be limited up to 314 million m 3 per year (MCM/year), by assuming complication of the origin basin development and considering river environment water requirement in the future. This is 46% less than the value that has been allocated by allocation committee. Results obtained from the WEAP model also indicated that the useful storage required for regulating of water resources was obtained 600 MCM as maximum value. In order to minimize social and environmental impacts of Beheshtabad tunnel, a new alternative has been introduced.