Evaluation of environmental effects of Ayoshan Dam using Leopold and Matrix modified matrix method

Major Dam construction projects have increased due to the widespread climate change, because of increased drought, human population growth and, consequently, increased global demand for energy and water. However, without comprehensive research, a large project such as a dam will have an irreversible and unpredictable impact on the environment. A survey on the history of dam construction projects shows that many of them have been designed and exploited regardless of environmental considerations, thus causing various contamination and destruction of major parts of natural resources have been. In this research, the environmental impacts of the Eyvashan earth dam were identified in two phases of construction and exploitation on biological, physical-chemical, economic-social, cultural and strategic environments, using Leopold modified matrix and rapid impact assessment matrix (RIAM). The results showed that the most negative and negative effects in the construction phases and exploitation in the modified Leopold matrix and the Rapid Impact Assessment matrix related to the physical-chemical environment. In addition, the most positive effects in construction and exploitation phases for the modified Leopold matrix are related to the strategic and socio-economic environments and for the matrix of the assessment of the Rapid Impact Assessment of the socioeconomic environment on both phases. The results show a very good fit between the two matrices and confirm the accuracy of the results in the environmental assessment of the Eyvashan Dam in two stages of construction and exploitation.