Assessment of water resources sustainability under unilateral development projects using WEAP model in transboundary river basins.

The methodology developed in this study includes an expanded conceptual model and the application of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model for hydrological modeling of a transboundary river basin. This methodology was applied to the Tigris-Euphrates Transboundary River (TETR) basin to assess the impact of unilateral development projects on downstream water resources. A 41-year modeling period (1979-2019) was used, including planned development engineering projects in the region.

Effects of upstream activities of Tigris-Euphrates River Basin on water and soil resources of Shatt al-Arab Border River.

The Tigris-Euphrates River Basin (TERB) is one of the key transboundary basins among the developing countries in the Middle East which has been significantly damaged by mismanagement, exploitation for energy production and unsustainable water use. This study aimed to evaluate the water and soil resources in the lower parts of this basin. More specifically, how the area of the Shatt al-Arab River (SAR) formed at the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers is affected in terms of quality by upstream activities.