Hybrid Compensatory and Non-Compensatory Multi-Criteria Decision Making Models for locating the Reservoir-dams

One of the requirements for sustainable operation of soil, water and environment resources in agricultural sector is addressing the sustainable development criteria in dam construction projects. In current research, multi-criteria decision making methods (MCDM) including ELimination Et Choice Translating REality (ELECTRE), as a non-compensatory model, and the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), as a compensatory model, were applied to select proper site for Kandoleh dam in Kermanshah province. For this porpose, after determining the suitable criteria with the help of studies and experts' opinions, group decision making was applied to identify the weight of the criteria by measuring the decision-makers' agreement. Then, the four selected sites for the Kondoleh dam were ranked based on technical, economic, social, environmental criteria and the relevant sub-criteria. At the end, the results were compared togeather. In order to reach a consecsus in the rankings of the two mentioned models, integration methods such as grade average, Copeland and Borda were employed and finally the average method was employed to finalize the results of the integrated methods. Also, 17 sub-criteria were ranked for choosing the dam's site. Based on the results, alternatives ranking for the two models; ELECTRE and TOPSIS, was different. However, the results of the ELECTRE model are more consistent with the final result of the integration methods. The results presented in this study are applicable for selecting storage reservoirs based on sustainable development criteria in soil and water resources development projects.