Sustainable development in arid regions in Iran using aquifer management (modern and traditional methods)

In arid regions of Iran, precipitation in most of time is insufficient to replenish losses of soil moisture by evaporation, transpiration and other mechanisms. Since a shortage of Water is inevitable in any arid region, the possible additional sources of water become crucial. Surface water supplies may seem plentiful. During development of surface water resources, however, new problems may be created. An important distinction can be made between development of surface water resources and development of the groundwater resources. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the importance of aquifer management and feeding using floods spreading in water resources management of arid regions. Also, the environmental and socio-economic effects of modern and traditional water spreading systems in arid and semi-arid regions of Iran are discussed.