JWSS - Journal of Water and Soil Science

Shortage of rainfall and also relatively high intensity precipitations in short-term are characteristics of arid regions of the world, such as central of Iran. Studies have indicated that massive flooding causes great loss of life and properties every year. Also, Water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions of the world will cause fragile living conditions in these areas. Therefore, it is needed to reduce runoff rates using actions such as dam construction or artificial recharge techniques. In this study, seven factors were applied such as the slope, surface permeability, transmissibility in alluvium, alluvial quality, land use, runoff volume and thickness of the unsaturated layer to determine suitable areas and site selection for flood spreading and artificial recharge in south of Kashan plain. After preparing the digital layers, criteria weights were determined using Fuzzy AHP. The weighted maps were acquired and merged together. Results indicated that land use criterion with the greatest weight (0.22) was determined as the first priority in the site selection for flood speading. The parameters of runoff volume, permeability, slope, depth of the unsaturated layer, alluvial quality, and transfer coefficient were accounted as the second to seventh priorities.