Effect of Watershed Plans Implement in Khomarak Basin of Zanjan Province

Regarding the importance of the watershed plans on one hand and extensive effects of these plans in the rural regions on the other hand, the main purpose of this descriptive-correlative survey was to identify and analyze the effect of watershed plans implement in Deh Jalal village in Zanjan province. The statistical population of this study consisted of all the heads of households of Deh Jalal village (N= 178). According to Krejcie & Morgan Table, a sample of 120 persons was selected using a method of simple random sampling. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with respondents based on a structured questionnaire. A panel of experts established the validity of the questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted to establish reliability of the questionnaire. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used for the main scale of questionnaire, which scored more than 0.75, confirming its appropriate reliability. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSSWin18 software. The descriptive results revealed that five variables including “reducing surface water pollution and increasing water quality”, “improving local people's participation in activities”, “preventing and controlling of soil erosion”, “reducing floods” and “increasing water resources in village (springs, wells and subterranean)” have achieved the highest priority, respectively. The results of factor analysis revealed that four factors can be considered as important for identifying the effect of watershed plans implement in Deh Jalal village and these factors were environmental, economical, social and ecological explaining 71.18% of total variances. The finding of the study can contribute to effective management and stabilizing the watershed plans in the region.