Developing a Strategic Plan for Locating Underground Dams in Khorramabad County

Underground dams, as one of the water flow control and storage structures along seasonal waterways, can be the most effective way to solve water-related issues. In the current research, using the integrated QSPM-SWOT model, suitable places for the development of underground dams in Khorramabad County were examined. First, to provide the required information, the study area was visited and a questionnaire was prepared to prepare the SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) in the construction of underground dams. This questionnaire was completed by 25 water resource management experts and residents of the study area. Then, using the SWOT model and QSPM matrix, a thorough analysis and convenient problem-solving method were selected to locate underground dams. The results showed that among the internal factors, vulnerability and pollution are less due to human and environmental factors (0.458) and extraction of high-quality water (0.372), and among external factors, restoration, stabilization, and increase of vegetation (0.304) and damage to underground water tables in case of construction without conducting sufficient studies (0.276), have been most effective in choosing strategies. Based on the obtained results, the use of a defensive strategy for the management of underground water resources, which is done by covering the weaknesses, overcoming the threats, and taking advantage of the strengths and the opportunities to locate the underground dams suitably, has a higher priority than other strategies (competitive-aggressive, diversity, and revision) in the study area. In addition, solutions were presented along the supply measures and then for the spatial prioritization of underground dams using the QSPM quantitative matrix. Finally, the solution to increasing the level of regional water flow by selecting educated managers in the field of underground dams water before and after construction was given priority with a final score of 6.074.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Underground dams can store and make available underground water resources. Furthermore, considering the complexity of decision-making in water resources issues with the presence of various internal and external factors, there is a need to use a new strategic planning framework with multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) to develop sustainable water resources management strategies. In this regard, the model of SWOT analysis in several studies on the evaluation and location of underground dams in the country and abroad has been used. In this study, the construction of underground dams in Khorramabad county in Lorestan province, western Iran, has been determined as a goal using decision-making criteria and geographic information systems. By considering environmental, economic, and social factors, the effective factors in assessing the location of underground dams have been defined. In this research, a strategic method for the development of underground dams has been presented by using the FAHP multi-criteria decision-making model, SWOT analytical model, and quantitative strategic planning matrix (QSPM) model. The findings are a useful approach in selecting and prioritizing optimal locations for the construction of underground dams, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.
 
2-Materials and Methods
The study area is Khorramabad county (4942 km²) in Lorestan province, western Iran. The statistical sample determined in this research was 25 people, among whom 10 people were experts and specialists familiar with the study field and 15 people were selected from residents. Data analysis was done through factor analysis using SPSS software. The Likert scale was used to identify and confirm the factors (internal and external) affecting the study area. Then, the SWOT strategic analysis method was used. After selecting the sample in this research, the evaluation matrix of internal and external factors was formed. In this research, 14 strengths and 9 weaknesses for internal factors and 13 opportunities and 10 threats for external factors were prepared based on experts' opinions. Using experts' opinions, coefficients were determined for the selected factors decisions were made about strategic factors, and the results obtained from the matrices were used to determine the final value. Using FAHP and preparing questionnaires for each of the indicators, the values and strategies (competitive-aggressive, diversity, revision, and defensive strategies) were determined to create underground dams. Based on the SWOT model, we determined the strategic plan of the area using the information from the previous stage, and a total of 8 strategies were extracted, which were prioritized using the QSPM matrix. The implementation phases of the quantitative matrix are as follows: external and internal factors are listed in the rows, and strategies are defined in the columns. To establish a relationship between the defined strategies and the indicators of external and internal factors, two columns were given in the name of the relative attractiveness of each index and the existing strategic attractiveness score and its relative score based on the relationship between 1 and 4. Finally, according to the weights determined for internal and external factors through the FAHP model obtaining the relative importance coefficient of each variable and multiplying it by the partial attractiveness coefficient of each variable, the strategic attractiveness score was extracted.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The findings showed that among the determined strengths, the index of vulnerability and less pollution by human and environmental factors (0.458) is the most important. Furthermore, the water resource management index of springs and canals of each district (0.0075) is one of the least important indicators of strengths. Among the weaknesses (Table 1), the limited areas suitable for the construction of underground dams due to the need for a slope of less than 5% (0.132) is known as the most effective indicator. On the other hand, the lack of visibility of work, monitoring of executive actions, watertight walls, and water control is difficult and requires many studies (0.04) was recognized as the least effective index.  For external factors, 13 opportunities and 10 threats are presented (Table 2). The results showed that the restoration, stabilization, and increase of vegetation index (0.304) is the most effective index from the experts' point of view. In addition, among the selected opportunities, the promotion of inter-organizational cooperation was found as the least valuable index (0.07). Among the threats, the indicator of damage to underground water tables in case of construction without conducting sufficient studies (0.276) is the most important indicator and the liquidation of downstream water rights (0.045) is the least important. Figure 3 indicates cost leadership or contracting, i.e. defensive strategy, underground dams can develop in this area, and the organization should seek to prevent external threats, as well as, eliminate all its weaknesses. Therefore, it is necessary to overcome the existing threats and weaknesses by taking advantage of the strengths and opportunities of underground dams. Table 4 indicates the placement of the strategy of increasing the level of regional water flow by choosing educated managers in the field of water (strategy six) and balancing the water resources coming out of the basin by constructing modern storage structures (strategy four) in the first and second priorities of implementation in the study area.
 
4- Conclusion
In this study, the SWOT analytical model and QSPM quantitative matrix were used to establish underground dams, and the results indicated the priority of a defensive strategy. Also, the sixth strategy (increasing the level of regional water flow by choosing educated managers in the field of water) was given the highest priority. Therefore, to establish underground dams in the target area and similar areas, before and after the construction of underground dams, the assessment of the increase in the level of regional water flow should be done by choosing educated managers in the field of water. Considering the frequent occurrence of dry periods and their environmental, economic, and social consequences in the study area, it is necessary to improve and apply sustainable water management methods.