Environmental Impact Assessment of the Zayandehrud Dam

Zayandehrud is one of the largest river (270 km) in IRAN. It emerges from Dimeh spring continuing to Isfahan city and received to Gavkhoni wetland. Due to placed in semi-arried area and also plenty of consumption for agricultural, industrial and public services it reci ved considerable attention.Zayandehrud dam is costructed in 110 km of west Isfahan and consist of main dam, water power and adjustable dam. The aim of this study is to assess the environmental change due to instruction and operation of this dam.The method used for analysis is based on Wooten and Rau Matrix Method. In this method subactivities of Zayandehrud dam project are classified into two steps (instruction and operation) and effect of each one on the environmental parameters such as climate, soil, noise, water etc. were assessed.In this study the magnitude of an interaction was described by the asignment of anumerical value from one to three, with three representing a large magnitude and one a small magnitude. Depend on positive and negative effect the magnitude value was positive or negative respectively.Summation of the number of rows and columns designed as having interaction can offter insight into impact assessment and interpretation. Based to this methodology total value of +62 was obtained which indicate of positive effect of Zayandehrud dam on the envionment.