Performance Evaluation of Hydraulic Structures for Artificial Recharge in the Bushkan Plain, Dashtestan County, Bushehr Province

Authors

  • Ali Hooshmand Aini * Department of Civil Engineering, Roudbar Azad University, Roudbar, Iran. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1532-8493
  • Alireza Kashfi Department of Civil Engineering, Roudbar Azad University, Roudbar, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.48314/ijrceai.v3i1.41

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of hydraulic structures used for artificial recharge in the Bushkan Plain, located in Dashtestan County, Bushehr Province, Iran. Artificial recharge projects have been implemented across the country for more than four decades using various methods. In previous years, artificial recharge basin systems accounted for the largest share of these projects; however, over the past two decades, implementation has increasingly shifted toward basin flooding and floodwater spreading techniques. In general, development projects designed for specific purposes generate both positive and negative impacts, and water-related projects, including artificial recharge schemes, are no exception, as they may also lead to undesirable environmental and operational consequences. This research aims to identify the factors that contribute to either the positive or negative outcomes of artificial recharge projects, ultimately determining their success or failure. Furthermore, the study investigates the role and influence of the key parameters affecting the performance of artificial recharge systems. The present paper can be regarded as a retrospective study in which critical factors were identified based on accumulated practical experiences and expert assessments. More than 50 researchers participated in the survey process by contributing their professional experiences. The findings revealed that, considering the prevailing environmental and hydrological conditions of the country, 16 factors play a significant role in the success of artificial recharge projects in Iran. Among these, seven factors were identified as the principal determinants of project performance: 1) the number of annual recharge cycles, 2) infiltration capacity of the recharge area, 3) groundwater depth, 4) hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer, 5) structural stability of recharge facilities, 6) water quality, and 7) the regional importance of water resources. The results further demonstrated that the artificial recharge project in the Bushkan Plain was able to raise the groundwater level by up to 600 meters within a 500-meter radius from the center of the recharge basin during the first three months of operation.

Keywords:

Artificial recharge, Performance evaluation, Bushkan Plain

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Published

2026-03-25

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2026): International Journal of Researches on Civil Engineering with Artificial Intelligence (IJRCEAI)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Hooshmand Aini, A., & Kashfi, A. (2026). Performance Evaluation of Hydraulic Structures for Artificial Recharge in the Bushkan Plain, Dashtestan County, Bushehr Province. International Journal of Researches on Civil Engineering With Artificial Intelligence , 3(1), 35-50. https://doi.org/10.48314/ijrceai.v3i1.41

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