Soil and Water Conservation for Desertification Control in Iran - Combating Desertification in Asia, Africa and the Middle East - page 379

Box 18.2 (continued)
The procedures used are a modification of those outlined by Quilty
( 1972a , b ). The systems serve as sedimentation basins and infiltration ponds
for the artificial recharge of ground-water; and also as experimental plots
for investigation range improvement, moving sand stabilization, afforestation
(Kowsar 1992 ). Transformation of a desolate, sandy expanse into a verdant
horizon is the most obvious result of the flood water spreading pilot effort
(Fig. 18.11 ).
The expansion of irrigated fields in what was previously a water-short
area is convincing evidence of the effectiveness of the measure. Increasing
the amount of groundwater, decreasing of its salinity, prevention the flood
hazards, is the other benefits. From Jan. 1983 through Feb. 1988 there were
21 floods of varying intensity and duration. It is estimated that a total of 38
million m 3 diverted by the system and 25 million m 3 were directed to reaching
the groundwater under unimproved conditions, less than 10 % of precipitation
finds its way into the groundwater aquifers. In pilot area, grazing capacity has
become ten times and yield of farmlands reaches to two times more than the
past. (Summary of work reported by M. Pakparvar).

Fig. 18.11 Flood water spreading and utilization has been developed to a high level