Drought Crisis in Zayandehroud Dam

According to the latest statistics, there are currently 151 million cubic meters of water left in the Zayandehroud Dam reservoir, compared to 272 million cubic meters in the same period last year.

Drought Crisis in Zayandehroud Dam
According to Salamat News the Zayandehroud Dam has reached dryness at the watershed station. Due to the decrease in water levels, pastures and villages that were submerged since the dam was filled in 1970 have now reappeared. This comes at a time when, due to unprecedented drops in water levels, the Zayandehroud hydropower plant was shut down on Sunday, January 27.

Currently, there are 151 million cubic meters of water in the reservoir, a significant drop from 272 million cubic meters last year. On the other hand, with reduced rainfall in the upstream areas of Zayandehroud River this year, the inflow to the dam has decreased to 9 cubic meters per second, while the outflow is 14 cubic meters per second.

80% Decrease in Snowfall in Zayandehroud Springs
54 years ago, the Zayandehroud Dam, with a capacity of 1.4 billion cubic meters, was commissioned to provide drinking water, environmental preservation, agriculture, and industry in central Iran. However, over the past three decades, increased consumption, development projects, and illegal withdrawals have reduced the river’s inflow to downstream areas. This year, due to reduced rainfall, the drought has now reached one of Iran’s largest dams.

Data from the National Climate and Drought Management Center of the Meteorological Organization indicates that after four months of the hydrological year 2023-2024, snow depth in Kouhrang, located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, which is the main source of two major river basins, Zayandehroud and Karun, was recorded at only 16 centimeters as of January 21. This is compared to over 80 centimeters in previous years by this time. Additionally, this year, snow depth in the primary catchment area of Zayandehroud Basin is more than 80% below the long-term average for this station. Last year, on the same date, snow depth was 90 centimeters.

Critical Situation in Zayandehroud and Karun Springs
In this regard, Masoumeh Norouzi, Director General of Meteorology in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, told Mehr News: “Kouhrang, the source of the two major rivers, Karun and Zayandehroud, is 100% affected by drought. Water supply in the downstream provinces such as Isfahan and Khuzestan is highly dependent on rainfall in this region.” She added: “Weather patterns show that rainfall will be below normal until the end of 2024, although we expect some improvement in rainfall conditions by mid-January. Forecasts for spring indicate that rainfall will be normal.”

The reduction in rainfall is not limited to Kouhrang, the main source of the Zayandehroud Basin, but has also affected other tributaries, including the Pallasjan Basin and areas in the west and northwest of Isfahan, with a decrease of up to 70% in rainfall compared to the long-term average. However, the consequences of the drying up of Zayandehroud Dam do not end with the destruction of a wetland ecosystem or agricultural land in eastern Isfahan, threatening food security or industrial water supplies.

Currently, the main concern is providing drinking water and sanitation for over 5.3 million people in Isfahan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Yazd. Nasser Akbari, CEO of Isfahan Water and Wastewater Company, pointed out the significant decline in local water resources in recent years, stating: “A heavy responsibility lies on our shoulders to ensure a stable water supply for drinking in the coming year, which we must address through measures such as changes in distribution methods and water consumption practices.”