Assessment of performance of Urmia basin dams using system dynamic approach

In integrated water resources management at the basin level, integrated view of the system and taking into account the interactions between the various components is essential. System dynamic model is a management tools according this approach that in addition to describing complex systems of water resources provide the possibility of user involvement in the development model. This study have been done in Urmia Lake's basin with emphasis on the drop in the water level of Lake. In the present study, we tried to study water level behavior under the influence structure designs. For this purpose, a conceptual model was designed in Vensim model for Water Resources with considering variables that affect water balance equation in dams for estimation of the overflow of dams and environmental flows to the Lake. After calibration model, two scenario was designed to investigate the effect of any of the structural project, as well as water demand pattern in seven main basins. The results showed that structural projects in the basin have reduced 42% of the inflow to the lake of which approximately 26% related to the operation of the seven main dam and 16% in relation to agricultural development and enhance the operation of the basin's water requirements.