Zoning of the Land Subsidence in the Hamedan Qarachai Watershed

Geomorphological features are the basis of natural resources evaluation in the watersheds. These features are affected by many factors such as climate and soil, hydrology, ecology, geology etc. Drainage network in this area was different according to the amount and performance of processes and has different effects on their surroundings. Sinkholes are located on the way of this drainage network. In association with the occurrence, the researchers have counting on this subject that the change of soil parameters, indiscriminate harvesting from groundwater, drilling of illegal wells and activity of Shahid-Mofateh thermal power plant are the most important factors for the appearance of these profound sinkholes in the plains of this state. The aim of this study is examining the characteristics of the drainage networks in this region, and study their role in the creating of subsidence in this region. For this purpose all information on geology, hydrology, hydrogeological and geographical data in this area were collected and analyzed. Drainage networks, lithology, slope and elevation of this region were drawn by using of digital topographic maps of 1:50000, geological of 1:100000, DEM and also pictures of Google Earth. Then to evaluate annual changes of runoff we used experimental method of Justin and Katain. The results indicate that the dissimilar changes in morphometric data of drainage network in this area due to the climatic and geological conditions, were most important factors in the intensification of decrease of soil humidity, subterranean water and occurrence of subsidence in this region. Human factors and the over use of water sources were effective in the intensification of subsidence.