Examining the Role of Socio-Economic Issues in Locating Underground Dams
Authors
1
1Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Kerman, Iran. Hamzah.4900@yahoo.com
2
Researcher, Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Research, Kerman Agricultural and Natural Resource Research Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Kerman, Iran.
10.22034/wmji.2026.2094307.1143
Abstract
One of the most important factors in properly locating underground dams is examining water resources as well as the economic and social issues of the desired watershed, which can positively affect the efficiency of the underground dam. In this study, which was carried out in the Samoon Jahar watershed in Kerman province, various issues between the environment and humans in the area of the Samoon Jahar underground dam were investigated. Additionally, to assess the impact of constructing and operating the dam on the economic and social conditions of the local people, besides using statistics from relevant organizations, the researchers also visited the area and asked local residents. The research results showed that since there are currently no villages downstream of the dam site, the environmental impacts and potential problems from building the dam for local residents are minimized. Additionally, it prevents water from flowing into the desert and losing this valuable resource. Agriculture in the Samoon Jahr area isn’t very favorable due to the harsh climate and limited water resources. Given that the region is hot and dry, most farming is limited to date and citrus orchards, as well as wheat and barley cultivation that building an underground dam can play a significant role in providing and storing water in this area. In the Samon Jahar area, these studies showed that the underground dam is technically justified, but also socially (minimal harm) and economically (increased income and prevention of migration) highly favorable.
Keywords
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