The Impact of the Decline in Lake Urmia’s Water Level on Groundwater Resources: Environmental Consequences and Planning

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Water Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Department of physical Geography, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jtcp.2025.397189.670510

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between groundwater fluctuations and the desiccation of Lake Urmia from 2001 to 2016. The results indicate that the lake's water level has declined at a rate of 0.25 meters per year, with the Sufian-Shabestar, Kahriz, and Miandoab aquifers experiencing the most significant changes (coefficient of variation: 24–79%). Analysis of data from 721 piezometric wells using Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) interpolation in GIS revealed a reversal in groundwater flow direction in the Salmas, Tasuj, and Sufian-Shabestar aquifers, now trending away from the lake. A Vulnerability assessment using the MOVE model identified the Miandoab aquifer as the most vulnerable (weight: 0.63), while the Tabriz and Urmia aquifers were the least vulnerable (weight: 0.45). Key contributing factors include excessive extraction from deep wells, land-use conversion to orchards, and economic reliance on agriculture. In contrast, industrial and tourism development positively mitigated vulnerability. The study emphasizes that water resource management in the Lake Urmia basin must be tailored to the hydrological and socio-economic characteristics of each aquifer, prioritizing the regulation of high-risk aquifers such as Salmas and Sufian-Shabestar. These findings can significantly inform policies for Lake Urmia’s restoration and sustainable groundwater management.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Town and Country Planning
Volume 17, Issue 1
Spring & Summer
April 2025
Pages 129-148

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History

  • Receive Date: 28 June 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 July 2025
  • Accept Date: 27 July 2025

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