Artificial recharge site selection by utilizing GIS in Kermanshah's Mahidashat plain

Agricultural development has increased exploitation of groundwater resources Mahidasht plain in Kermanshah. The increased utilization and the reduction of severe droughts conditions has caused severe drop in groundwater level in the plain. To mitigate the crisis, artificial recharge of groundwater is suitable solutions. Selecting feasible locations for the implication of artificial recharge is the most important stages of these projects. In the present research work, the Geographic Information System (GIS) was used for locating of flood spreading. For this purpose, six important parameters were selected in feasible artificial recharge by flood spreading method. Each of the data layers in GIS environment was developed. Layers were classified with respect to their importance in recharge feasibility selection and hence were valued by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and integrated in Geographical information system (GIS) environment. The results of this research showed that 6 percent of Mahidsht plain spread in five separate region with total area 2498.75 hectares, are the most suitable location for artificial groundwater recharge by application of flood spreading method. The selected regions were categorized according to areas of priority sites of runoff production according to the availability of water resources.