Effects of Inflow reduction on Water Level, Morphology and Salinity Pattern of the Urmia Lake

Document Type : Technical Note

Authors

Abstract

Urmia lake is one of the largest and most saline Lakes of Iran. This lake plays a key role in an
environment of the northwest of Iran. In the last decade, construction of several dams on the rivers
discharging to the lake has caused water level decrease of the lake and as a result adverse effects on
the lake environment. In this research, by using Mike 3D model, water level and salinity pattern of the
Urmia lake have been predicted. Inflow decrease to the lake was considered to be both gradual and
instantaneous. Salinity and water level of the lake during coming years were also simulated.
According to the results obtained, reduction of inflow to the lake has caused decrease of water level in
the lake. This decrease will cause atrophy of major part of the lake. Water level reduction of the lake
varied from 1.5 to 2.5 meter depending on the amount of inflow diverted and used upstream.
Furthermore, several scenarios have been investigated to improve the lake condition. These results
have also shown that creating an extra opening in the west of causeway, does not have any significant
effects on the salinity pattern of the lake.