Department of Water Engineering
About
The origins of the “Irrigation and reclamation engineering” major in Iran date back to the founding of modern universities in the country in the 1930s. At the time, Iran urgently needed well educated engineers for major infrastructural works such as irrigation and drainage schemes. Construction of modern storage and diversion dams to manage surface water resources started in 1944 in the country and is still continuing. Since then, these infrastructures and their accompanying irrigation canal networks have played an important role in optimizing the use of surface water resources, increasing the area of irrigated lands, and improving the economic conditions of farmers.
In 1995, the “Department of Water Engineering” was founded at the University of Guilan, having three faculty members offering BSc courses. Since then, the department has expanded to 11 faculty members offering BSc courses and MSc programs in “Irrigation and drainage engineering”, “Hydraulic structures”, and “Water resources engineering”. Guilan is one of the three northernmost coastal provinces of Iran and it’s a major agricultural region in Iran. With an average annual precipitation of 1506 mm, Guilan is recognized as the wettest province of Iran. Currently, more than 95% of the total arable lands in Guilan Province is devoted to rice cultivation, generally irrigated using the water released by the Sefidroud Dam. The Sefidroud River has been the main source of water supply in Guilan Province over the past decades. Nevertheless, in the recent years an increase in the occurrence of drought years, coupled with an increasing demand for the limited surface water in the Sefidroud River Basin, has resulted in a major decline in the availability of surface water in Guilan Province and the province is facing major water scarcity and water quality problems. Carrying out MSc theses and other government-funded research projects, the department of water engineering at the University of Guilan, aims to address some of the crucial issues related to the quantity and quality of the surface water and groundwater resources in the Province of Guilan.
Facilities and Equipment
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TeachingMain B.Sc. Courses:
Statics, Fluid mechanics, Meteorology, Principles of agriculture, Numerical Analysis, Computer programing, Applied statistics, Surveying, Open channel hydraulics, Surface water hydrology, Groundwater, Hydraulic structures, Water resources management, Principles of irrigation, Drainage and drainage engineering, Soil mechanics, Hydraulic systems, Soil and water conservation, Surface irrigation, Sprinkle irrigation, Drip irrigation
Main M.Sc. cources:
- Irrigation and drainage engineering: Advanced drainage, Surface irrigation, Management of Irrigation and drainage schemes, Sprinkle irrigation, Drip irrigation, Soil, water and plant relations, Environmental assessment of irrigation and drainage projects, Climate change, Water productivity in agriculture
- Hydraulic structures: Advanced open channel hydraulics, Hydraulic models, Flood hydraulics, Geotechnique of hydraulic structures, Designing of hydraulic structures, Hydraulics of Sediment Transport, Computational fluid dynamics, River engineering
- Water resources engineering: Advanced surface water hydrology, Groundwater modeling, Advanced water resources management, Remote sensing in water resources, Mathematical models in hydrology, Water resources systems analysis, Stochastic models in hydrology -
ResearchIn the Department of Water Engineering, our commitment to advancing the science and technology of water management is evident through the research endeavors pursued within our diverse fields of expertise. Our department is dedicated to improving the sustainable use of water resources. Here, we undertake research spanning a broad spectrum of water-related disciplines, each contributing to this invaluable resource's collective understanding and responsible management.
- One of our primary areas strives to enhance crop yields, improve water-use efficiency, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Our experts delve into the intricacies of irrigation systems, exploring innovative techniques and technologies to maximize crop productivity while minimizing water usage.
- We address the significance of proper water disposal and flood prevention. We are involved in designing and enhancing drainage systems to reduce the risks linked to waterlogging and flooding, especially in agricultural areas.
- The sustainable management of water resources is at the core of our mission. Our researchers delve into water availability, quality, and distribution, seeking innovative solutions to address the challenges of growing populations, climate change, and evolving environmental conditions.
- In the domain of hydraulic structures, we pioneer new designs and technologies for water-related constructions. These structures are integral to the storage, regulation, and controlled release of water, and our research ensures their safety, efficiency, and resilience. Furthermore, geotechnical research within our department is essential for the safety and stability of hydraulic structures.
- We harness the power of remote sensing technologies to monitor and assess water resources. We gain insights into water quality, distribution, and environmental impacts through satellite imagery and other remote sensing tools, allowing us to make informed decisions for sustainable water management.
- Our department actively engages in research related to hydrological modeling. We seek to understand and predict the impacts of changing climatic conditions on water resources through advanced modeling techniques. This knowledge is vital in addressing the challenges posed by the water, food, and energy nexus - a dynamic relationship where water availability directly affects food and energy production. Our hydrological modeling studies help us assess the optimal allocation of water resources for irrigation, hydropower generation, and sustainable agriculture, thus contributing to the development of integrated solutions that balance the needs of society, the environment, and the economy.
Our shared passion unites the Department of Water Engineering for water and commitment to advancing knowledge in these diverse fields. Our research contributes to the academic understanding of water engineering and has real-world applications, helping to address pressing water-related challenges locally and internationally. -
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