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Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates

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Abstract

Obtaining calibration data for models depicting conditions during pre-development periods can be challenging as such periods are characteristically data poor. This study presents two examples where simulation of historic water conveyance structures were used to help characterize historic, or pre-modern, conditions in calibration of groundwater flow models. Persian water conveyance structures, called ‘aflaj’ (or singular ‘falaj’) in the Emirates, ‘karezes’ in Afghanistan, or ‘qanats’ in some other regions, consists of a hand dug tunnels, hundreds to thousands of meters long, that intersect upgradient water table surfaces and convey water downgradient for domestic use and irrigation of small farms. These structures can be identified, using remote imagery, by the presence of regularly spaced access holes that were used to create and maintain these tunnel systems. This type of water-supply system was commonly used throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia for centuries. They are generally not used today having largely been supplanted by modern groundwater wells, and, in many areas these structures have failed because of water-table declines caused by groundwater development and/or climate change. Evidence of these systems from satellite imagery provides an indication of pre-modern water levels and this information was used in the calibration of two contrasting pre-development models in Afghanistan and the Emirates.

Study Area

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Use of historic Persian water system data in groundwater models: Examples from Afghanistan and Emirates
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher International Groundwater Modeling Center
Contributing office(s) New England Water Science Center
Description 4 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title MODLFOW and more 2015, modeling a complex world proceedings
First page 403
Last page 406
Country Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates
State Abu Dhabi Emirate
Other Geospatial Chakari Basin
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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