Abstract

Today, uncontrolled exploitation of ground water has doubled water scarcity problem, while proper control and management of these resources can solve water shortage problem to some extent. One of the approaches for managing groundwater resources is artificial recharging of groundwater and determining the best location for this. This study aimed at ranking Shahroud–Bastam watershed using ELECTRE and linear assignment methods and the results of these two methods are compared. These two models are of multiple-criteria decision making compensation and coordinated subgroup models. The findings indicate that among the seven zones in ELECTRE method mentioned above, zones (3, 4,5) with four dominations and 2 defeats and 2 points are in the first ranking and are the most suitable zones for artificial recharge. Zone (1) with six defeats and no dominations and (-6) points is in the last ranking and is not suitable for artificial recharge of ground water. Zones (2, 6, 7) respectively with (2, 2, 1) dominations and (4, 4, 5) defeats and with (-2, -2, -4) points are in the next rankings respectively. Zones (1, 2, 6, 7) must be removed because the number of their defeats is more than the number of their dominations and have negative points. In linear assignment method, among 7 zones, zone 3 has the first rank and is the best zone for artificial recharge and zone 7 is in the last ranking and is not suitable for artificial recharge. Zones (4, 2, 5, 6, 1) are in the next rankings respectively. Between these two methods, the results of linear assignment method are more consistent with reality and are more accurate.

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