Natural Disasters Research Institute(NDRI)

Zayandeh Rud River as one of the largest rivers of central plateau of Iran is located in Gavkhooni area. Zayandeh Rud originates from Zard Kooh Bakhtiari, Haft Tanan in the area of Shourab Tang-e-Gazi in Chaharmahal Bakhtiari Province. After absorbing running waters in some parts of Faridan and Fereydoon Shahr it flows towards Isfahan city. The length of this river is 405 km and the average slope of the channel bed 15 percent. Eventually, this river terminates in Gavkhooni Swamp, about 120 km in southeast of Isfahan. Average annual rainfall along the river is 450 mm and the extent of catchment area is about 27,100 km2. Isfahan city's share of the river water that used to be distributed in the city through 9 major streams and their sub-branches is so high that in the recent eras it converted this city as a garden city (existence of 158 gardens and farms) and its passages as garden alleys. The main reason of Zayandeh Rud nomination to this name is that it revives and reclaims many villages, gardens, and farms. From ancient times, this river has been named as Zayandeh Rud, Zendehrud, Zand Rud, Zarin Rud, Zarinehrud, Zarnrud, and Zandak Rud. On one side, this river as artery and vital vein itself has had an important role in residents' leisure. Beside other cultural and economic profits for Isfahan city, Zayandeh Rud River has made a public area to develop humans' social interactions with each other. In addition a place for entertainment and leisure, the river provided a special position for urban identity of Isfahan citizens. This river shapes influential in the main identity of Isfahan city. This can be felt due to different signs and symbols that are visible in culture of Isfahan city and each has a sign of Zayandeh Rud.

In recent years, the Zayanderood River in Isfahan-Iran has been encountered by hydrological imbalance and drought. Literature review shows that long-term climate change, drought, and disruption of the river’s water supply has led to depletion of underground aquifers and, consequently, gradual subsidence of the river and serious damage to old buildings and structures along the riverbank. This fact would be followed up by adverse environmental, social, and economic effect that could threaten the sustainable development of urban space. Therefore, it is necessary to use efficient risk identification and assessment approaches toward a more effective risk management.

The Land subsidence (LS) cases, is discussed as a worldwide environmental, geological, and global geohazard concern. Human-induced LS cases are significantly more than groundwater extraction contributes.  LS could threaten the sustainable development of urban space by adverse environmental, social, and economic effect. Therefore, it is necessary to use efficient risk identification and assessment approaches toward a more effective risk management. The drying up of the Zayandeh-rood is the most visible sign of the water crisis that threatens the existence of this city. Groundwater levels have fallen, wells have dried up and ecosystems have been destroyed. The crisis requires strong steps from the national and local governments to address the inadequate and failed policies of previous administrations. Zayandehrood can be used as a suitable case study for other parts of the world in this field.