LandUseChange Effects onPotenrlal Flooding, Using NRCS Model (Case Study: Barandoezchay Basin)

Land use transfer from range and forest to farm and orchard that has recently occurred in many parts of
Iranhasbrought about change in water regime in many different river basins. The same has happened
in.the.study area in Barandoozchay catchment with an area of 1146 km.2,.located in northwestern Iran.
In this region during a 45 years period (1334 - 1379•for which air photographs and satellite images are
available) the dry farming areas increased from 4528 to 20231 ha. In this study, after an interpretation
ofair photographs and satellite images the old andcurrent land use;maps have been prepared; NRCS
model along whth HEC_HMS software were used to simulate rainfall-runoff in the catchment area.
Results indicate that the flood in new period increased up to %70 during the studied period, but the
extent in increase-in Peak discharge became lowerfor the higher return periods.