Reclamation of Tabriz plateau
Date
2000-06
Authors
Davar, Aleji, author
Barari, Ahmed, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
This paper presents the key elements of reclamation of Tabriz plateau at east side of Lake Orumiyeh, in East Azerbaijan, Iran. The plateau consists of approximately 230,000 acres (92,600 hectares) of land with saline and saline-alkali soils. The sources of water include surface and ground water. The major watershed draining to the area is Ajichai basin. Ajichai originates from Sabalan Mountain, travels approximately 168 miles (270 km), and falls through 1,887 feet (575 m) and joins the Lake Orumiyeh. Along its route, various tributaries that originate or pass through salt mines join the river and consequently make it saline for irrigation. The reclamation project consists of dealing with sources of salinity for surface water and reclamation of the saline soil in the plateau with due consideration for impact of the project on Lake Orumiyeh. The project features include construction of a series of earth dams, including an impermeable earth core rockfill dam as the main storage and flood control reservoir, water conveyance facilities, drainage systems, and soil amendments. Due to salt transport in irrigation water and its commutative effect on agricultural lands, it is believed that the complex issues of this reclamation project are good examples of the nature of challenges facing irrigation and drainage in the new millennium.
Description
Presented at the 2000 USCID international conference, Challenges facing irrigation and drainage in the new millennium on June 20-24 in Fort Collins, Colorado.