Investigating management and hydrogeological criteria on ground level changes in the plain of Sarayan

Groundwater resources in Iran, especially in the desert plains of southern Khorasan province are not in appropriate condition due to drought, increasing number of farming wells, and sustained pumping and they are subject to destruction and permanent groundwater withdrawal. This study mainly aims to investigate the factors affecting the groundwater withdrawal procedure in Sarayan plain (critical forbidden zone) located in South Khorasan province. In this research, groundwater withdrawal of Sarayan plain is investigated using SPI and GRI drought monitoring methods and fluid average, rainfall and drought effects. Also, using Arc GIS software, both drop and depth maps were drawn up for the years before and after the installation of a smart water meter for piezometric wells of the plain.The results indicate that the groundwater withdrawal reduction procedure has increased 14.36% during the 4-year period after the installation of the smart water meter compared to the 4-year period before its installation. The unit hydrograph of plain showed that groundwater withdrawal has dropped by 25 meters over a period of 23 years. Sustained groundwater pumping, the effects of successive droughts and consequent reduction of the aquifer recharge have been determined as the most important factors affecting groundwater withdrawal in Sarayan plain