Determination of suitable areas for artificial recharge to increasing qanat discharge in Gonabad aquifer

Use of GIS in estimation of the status of aquifer has increased in recent years. Currently, many aquifers in the country, including the Gonabad aquifer, have faced a continuous reduction of trend in groundwater levels and the quantitative and qualitative reduction of their water, which results, reduction in the Qanat discharge and qwality. Therefore, this research was attempted to integrate GIS and multi-criteria decision-making systems, to identify the best area zone for artificial recharge project to increase the discharge rate. For this purpose, the data of six effective parameters contains slope, water quality, aquifer thickness, land use, flood and permeability of the case study area were prepared in GIS environment. Then were calculated by the use of AHP method and with a Paired comparison the weigths and sub weight of each criteri Expertchoice software. The total area designated for each of the criteria and final map with the three regions poor nutrition, appropriate medium were prepared bye the use of the GIS. The results of this study showed that the western part of the aquifer is a suitable place for artificial recharges which is abouts for half of existing Ghanats in this area.