Abstract
The paper discusses the investigations into the Khersan 3 Dam site in the Zagros Zone, southern Iran, where the Rig, Shorom and Laki Anticlines meet. The Asmari Limestone is the main aquifer system in the area of the dam site and its reservoir. Marly bands within the Lower Asmari Unit create three confined sub-aquifers under artesian pressure overlain by one unconfined sub-aquifer. The impounded water will be in direct contact with the Asmari Limestone hence leakage may occur through existing karst features. As the recharge zone of the artesian sub-aquifers is higher than the normal water level in the reservoir, no direct leakage through the artesian sub-aquifers is anticipated. However, when the water head in the unconfined sub-aquifer rises with the construction of the dam, leakage may occur and further karstification develop.
Résumé
L’article présente les travaux de reconnaissance réalisés sur le site du barrage de Khersan 3, dans la région du Zagros au sud de l’Iran, au niveau des anticlinaux de Rig, Shorom et Laki. La formation des calcaires d’Asmari est le principal système aquifère au niveau du site du barrage et de son réservoir. Des niveaux marneux dans la partie inférieure de l’unité d’Asmari sont à l’origine de trois nappes captives surmontées par une nappe libre. L’eau de la retenue sera en contact direct avec les calcaires d’Asmari et, de ce fait, des fuites pourront avoir lieu au travers du karst. Comme la zone de recharge des nappes captives est plus haute que le niveau normal du réservoir, on ne craint aucune fuite au travers des aquifères correspondants. Cependant, lorsque la charge hydraulique dans l’aquifère de la nappe libre augmentera avec la construction du barrage, des fuites pourront avoir lieu et la karstification pourra se développer.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support of the Iran Water and Power Resources Development Company (IWPCO), the Ministry of Energy of Iran, and Shiraz University for continuous support.
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Karimi, H., Keshavarz, T., Mohammadi, Z. et al. Potential leakage at the Khersan 3 Dam Site, Iran: a hydrogeological approach. Bull Eng Geol Environ 66, 269–278 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-006-0079-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-006-0079-5