Assessing Water Allocation to Mashhad City Using WEAP Model: The Role of Chehchehe and Qaretikan Dam Water Transfer Project Along with Transboundary Treaties

AbstractIntroduction: In recent years, the issue of providing drinking water and ensuring public health for the residents of the city of Mashhad has emerged as a top priority for the authorities in charge. As part of addressing this concern, a proposed solution involves the transfer of water from Chehchehe and Qaretikan dams through the construction of water catchment structures downstream of these dams. The water would then be channeled to the water transfer tunnel of Dosti Dam for eventual delivery to the city of Mashhad.Methods: In this study, an evaluation was conducted on the alterations in water allocation stemming from the presence of two dams over a 24-year span from 1997 to 2020. Factors such as potable water requirements, agricultural demands, ecological considerations, and the water agreement between Iran and Turkmenistan were taken into account using WEAP model. Subsequently, the second phase of the study involved an assessment of the fulfillment of the aforementioned needs, utilizing the percentage of meeting index.Findings: Based on the findings, it is evident that the transfer of water within the allowable volume limit is both feasible and viable. It is imperative to emphasize that maintaining current loading levels, without any additional burden, is crucial for sustaining a reliable water supply for the city of Mashhad via the two dams.