Satellite imagery has revealed how Jiroft Dam in Iran’s Kerman Province is reshaping its environment—with implications for agriculture, energy, and water management across the region.
The study, led by Fatemeh Askari Malekabad, a master’s student in Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Ardakan University, tracked environmental changes from 2000 to 2020 using remote sensing data. By analyzing vegetation (NDVI), water availability (NDWI), and land surface temperature (LST), the research found that the dam’s influence is strongest near the reservoir and weakens with distance.
“What we observed wasn’t a uniform impact,” says Malekabad. “The dam’s cooling effect and increased moisture were most noticeable in valleys and low-lying areas close to the reservoir, particularly in spring and autumn.”
The findings suggest that while the dam has improved local microclimates—reducing surface temperatures and boosting vegetation in its immediate vicinity—its benefits taper off in downstream agricultural lands. This localized effect presents both a challenge and an opportunity for water and energy planners.
For the energy sector, the research underscores the need for strategic water releases to balance hydropower generation with agricultural demands. Since the dam’s cooling influence is seasonal, energy producers may need to adjust operations to avoid conflicts with peak irrigation periods.
The study, published in *Geography and Environmental Planning* (*جغرافیا و برنامهریزی محیطی*), also highlights the potential of satellite-based monitoring for long-term infrastructure planning. By leveraging tools like Google Earth Engine, policymakers and engineers can make data-driven decisions to optimize dam operations while preserving downstream ecosystems.
As water scarcity grows in arid regions, such insights could shape how future dams are designed—and whether their benefits justify their environmental trade-offs.