Case Study

Location Of Urmia Lake

 Iran's Lake Urmia is an endorheic salt lake. The lake is located in Iran, between the provinces of
East and West Azerbaijan, and west of the Caspian Sea's southern part. In the country's
Northwestern region, Urmia Lake plays a significant environmental and socioeconomic role
Reduction in Water Level
 Due to reduction in the water level of lake one part of lake, turn into saline in past decade from
1997 to 2007. In 1997, the water level of the lake is 1278 meter, which is decreased to 1272
meter in 2007
Inflows in Lake

 Rainfall
 Surface Water
 Ground water
Outflows of Lake

 Evaporation
 Ground Water
 Surface water
 The Urmia Lake's water is unsuitable for transport and use for other purposes due
to its unique topography and poor quality; additionally, groundwater gradient
maps in the region's plains reveal that no significant amount of groundwater flows
from the lake to nearby aquifers. As a result, the lake's only outflow is evaporation
Causes of low Water Level

 Climate Change:
 Water resource development projects
 Water overuse in upstream
Effect of low water level

 Change in eco cycle of the region

Joblessness of farmers of this region
 Economic effects
 Lack of food in the region