Introduction
Water scarcity has emerged as one of the defining environmental and socio- economic challenges of the twenty- first century, particularly in arid and semi- arid regions such as Iran. The overexploitation of groundwater resources, combined with declining precipitation and the intensification of droughts, has severely affected aquifers across the country. In this context, flood spreading projects (FSPs) have been introduced as one of the managed aquifer recharge (MAR) strategies aiming to divert destructive flood flows into aquifers, mitigate the impacts of uncontrolled runoff, and enhance ecological stability. The Haftooman flood spreading project, located in the arid landscapes of Khour and Biabanak County in Isfahan Province, was initiated with these ambitious goals. However, despite considerable financial investments, the real performance of such projects in achieving their intended ecological, social, and economic objectives remains poorly documented. Most previous studies in Iran and abroad have examined isolated dimensions, such as hydrological or economic outcomes, without providing a comprehensive assessment that simultaneously integrates physical, ecological, social, and technical- operational impacts. The absence of long- term monitoring infrastructures, such as piezometers, has further obscured the evaluation of actual recharge benefits. Against this backdrop, the present study applies the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM) in combination with expert knowledge to evaluate the multi- dimensional impacts of the Haftooman project. By systematically integrating environmental, hydrological, social, and economic indicators, this research aims to provide a holistic and critical analysis of the project’s effectiveness, identify the underlying causes of limited success, and generate practical recommendations for the planning and management of future flood spreading projects in arid environments. This approach also seeks to bridge the gap between scientific evaluation and policy- making by providing evidence- based insights into the challenges of implementing MAR strategies under harsh climatic and geomorphological conditions.
Materials and methods
In order to assess the effectiveness of watershed management measures from the perspective of users, this study utilizes both descriptive and analytical methods, along with data collection via a questionnaire that utilizes a Likert scale to assess opinions on the direct and indirect impacts of implemented projects. The sample population consists of heads of households residing in the catchment area of the Firuzeh Neishabour mine, situated in Razavi Khorasan Province. The research methodology is based on two main approaches: documentary analysis and survey methods. Initially, projects carried out in the research areas were identified and specified by consulting the Razavi Khorasan Natural Resources Department. Subsequently, statistics and information about households in villages within the two study areas were gathered through local field observations, village councils, and the statistics center. Face- to- face interviews and questionnaires were used to gather villagers' perspectives and measure relevant variables. Descriptive statistics were then calculated based on the data to determine the users' attitudes towards watershed measures. The descriptive results of the independent variables, along with respondent characteristics, were displayed in descriptive statistical tables. Lastly, inferential statistical methods were employed to compare the average distribution of variables, calculate average differences between different groups using statistical tests, and conduct necessary analyses based on these differences.
Results and Discussion
The findings reveal that the Haftooman flood spreading project generated only limited and short- lived positive effects across most evaluated dimensions. In the hydrological domain, although some initial infiltration occurred during the early years, long- term monitoring shows no significant improvement in groundwater levels. Structural failures in the diversion canals, coupled with rapid sedimentation of infiltration basins, severely reduced the efficiency of recharge. In fact, over time, most floodwaters were retained only in the sedimentation basin, with infiltration volumes declining due to clogging by fine particles. This result aligns with other Iranian studies that have reported declining efficiency of flood spreading projects in the absence of sustained maintenance and sediment management. From a socio- economic perspective, the project failed to generate tangible benefits such as stable agricultural development, job creation, or income growth. The remoteness of the site, combined with the absence of arable land downstream, meant that local communities derived little benefit beyond occasional seasonal water use by herders and miners. Ecologically, the project initially caused disturbance due to soil excavation and vegetation removal. While some natural recovery occurred over time, there was no significant improvement in vegetation cover or biodiversity across the wider landscape. In the technical- operational dimension, lack of continuous maintenance, poor design adaptability were critical shortcomings. These factors collectively explain why the overall RIAM score placed the project in the “slightly positive” category (+B), far below expectations. Comparisons with international experiences, such as in Ethiopia and India, where flood spreading enhanced crop yields and pasture recovery, underscore the importance of aligning project design with local geomorphological and climatic conditions. The dominance of political considerations over technical planning in the Haftooman project further illustrates how governance failures can undermine otherwise promising water management strategies.
Conclusions
The comprehensive assessment of the Haftooman flood spreading project demonstrates that its intended goals of aquifer recharge, agricultural expansion, and ecological rehabilitation were largely unmet. The hydrological impacts were marginal, as infiltration decreased rapidly with sedimentation and infrastructure decay. Socio- economic benefits were negligible, given the lack of nearby agricultural fields, employment opportunities, or sustainable livelihood improvements. Ecological impacts were mixed: while natural recovery mitigated some initial damage, no significant long- term improvements in biodiversity or ecosystem services were observed. The technical- operational evaluation highlighted chronic weaknesses, including poor structural resilience, lack of sediment management, and absence of long- term maintenance strategies. Taken together, these results indicate that the project’s overall contribution to regional water security and development was minimal. Lessons from this case emphasize that the success of flood spreading projects in arid environments requires integrated planning that incorporates climatic realities, robust engineering design, continuous monitoring, and communi ty participation. Future projects should prioritize sediment management, establish monitoring infrastructures such as piezometers, and align objectives with local socio- economic needs rather than political agendas. Moreover, adopting adaptive management frameworks that allow for periodic review and correction could prevent rapid performance decline. Beyond technical improvements, fostering the involvement of local stakeholders is essential to ensure sustainability and equitable benefit- sharing. This study contributes to the growing body of literature highlighting that flood spreading, while theoretically promising, cannot succeed without long- term institutional commitment and context- specific adaptation. The Haftooman project thus serves as a cautionary case, underscoring that without comprehensive integration of technical, ecological, and social dimensions, flood spreading projects risk becoming symbolic rather than transformative interventions in water resource management.