In the Bibi-Shahrbanoo Mountain/hill, Near Tehran; This Concept Could Be Applied; Who Cares?
Published on by Mashallah Ali-Ahyaie, Self Employed Independent Peoplesoft Consultant - Freelancer Consultant in Academic
"ABOVE-GROUND QANAT" OR A VERSION THEREOF; THE "HOOMAN-MASHALLAHSPRING,"
"CONVERTING A BARREN RAVINE / VALLEY INTO A CULTIVATED OASIS ONE"
" IT IS A FREE CONCEPT TO APPLY "
ABSTRACT
Out of 2.5% delicate amount of the freshwater, of the total water on the planet earth, only 1.2% of it is surface / other freshwater, available for use. And out of this 1.2%, only 0.49 of the surface freshwater is in the rivers, which could serve the life's needs on the planet, wherever not having access to freshwater in lakes.
Taking the maximum limit of 6-month time for the river residence time; if the water inflow into a river was not made-up, either via precipitations or ice and snow melts, it would dry-up, to the maximum, in the entire river bed, in 6 months.
In such drought situations, humans have no other choice, unless exploiting the precious underground freshwater, if within their reach and with a lot of energy input pumping it to the ground level, where adopted rainwater harvesting and storm water management measures are not in vogue. However, opting for saline water desalination measures would be considered, if other sources couldn't be utilized, since also desalination processes ask for a lot of energy and investment.
In many places worldwide, rainwater harvesting and runoff control measures could be adopted, for storing the rainwater for the use in the drought periods, to the extent that there are sample cases, such as - www.chooserain.com - , in which Mr. Larry Curran's premises is not connected to the city-water grid, but all live with the harvested rainwater, however, there is a lot of rainfall, in his place, but considering water conservation measures, it will also be practical in dry climates without too much rains. It will be also much advantageous catching the rainwater, in a place where it inherits potential energy, capable of free flowing to the end users. An example, in this regards is described on: http://www.atlaswaterharvesting.co.uk/, as well.
In fact, the logic behind the large dams’ construction, worldwide, has been the storing of the rainwater runoff, for the water use in the drought periods, and flash flood control, among other benefits, however, in the meantime losing a lot of water by seepage and evaporation and the environmental adverse consequences.
There are many measures for storing the rainwater, but in this article, a new concept; named as "Above-Ground Qanat" or a version thereof; the "Hooman-Mashallah Spring," - after the name of the late HOOMAN FARZAAD (1913 – 2005,) - is introduced for pilot trials worldwide, for free without any obligation thereof, like license fees or the like (the environmental know-how’s have to be freely available to all, anyway.)
In fact, while considering rainwater harvesting measures, where the harvested rainwater could reach the consumers; while inheriting potential energy with enough pressure; pieces of puzzle matched each other, forming the concept, as described; along with a complimentary wise comment thereon; on the linked-in discussions on: https://www.linkedin.com/grp/post/855897-5960720811722551298 ,obtained from Mr. Bill Harned (Experienced Developer/Project Manager, https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bill-harned/15/11a/773, Miami, Florida.)
In a nutshell, via building a few "Hooman-Mashallah Springs" ovrer an abandoned barren ravine / valley, at terraced elevations, one could convert its slope sides, into oasis cultivated green surfaces, providing wildlife guzzlers, as well and in the meantime maintaining a gravity power source of water to a community downhill. This concept really deserves a try. Any helping hands? It is free to apply; comments are most welcome.
It is assumed that via the application of this concept on the city environs / hinter lands, and the adaptation of the rainwater harvesting and storm-water management measures, in parallel, in urban areas; enough water could be maintained in many places. Yes we must catch the rainwater on time and on the spot, whenever and wherever it rains; preferably where inheriting potential energy, before running away from our reach; having in mind that the stored rainwater have to be kept in a manner to prevent smelling on aging.
INTRODUCTION......
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a9/Rey_panorama_small.jpg
It is for a long long time; years after years, soil erosion is going on on this area, when raining, and it is not known where the resulting precious storm water will be ending up.
A HISTORICAL REVIEW ON THE QANATS AND HISTORIC HYDRAULIC STRUCTURES OF IRAN SINCE THE FIRST MILLENNIUM B.C. Ali Asghar Semsar Yazdi, Samira Askarzadeh1
"CONCLUSION Taking into account that this paper examines the qanats on one hand and the hydraulic structures like dams, bridges, water reservoirs, water mills and ice-houses on the other hand, in the various historical periods, so, at conclusion, we try to analyze these two subjects (Qanats – hydraulic structures) separately: Qanats: In the course of the Iranian history, qanat has had many ups and downs. Sometimes the qanats as well as the qanat constructers were supported and encouraged by the governments, and sometimes were deserted. Even when the qanats were destroyed for some military purposes, the qanat would start flourishing as soon as the political situation got stable. The risks that are threatening the qanats today differ from those in the past. In other words, in the past the political and military crisis had a negative impact on the qanats, however the qanats could recover as soon as the crisis was over. But the present risks are quit something else, and more destructive. The present risks are acting environmentally so it is not that easy to handle them. Therefore it is a must for the governments and nations throughout the world to more think of the new legislations about the protection of groundwater resources against any kind of over exploitation."
I wish Haj Mirza Aghasi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj_Mirza_Aghasi,) was alive, caring for in this era, as he did for Qanats.
Hajj Mirza AghasiHajj Mirza Aghasi or Aqasi, sometimes known as Haji-Mollah Abbas Iravani, was Sadr-e Aazam of Mohammad Shah Qajar of Iran during 1835-1848.
WikipediaBorn: 1784, MakuDied: July 1849
Best regards,
Mashallah Ali-Ahyaie
Taxonomy
- Water
- Agriculture