60-4 The Sustainable Irrigation Solution for Utah’s Water Crisis: Lessons from the Qanat System of Persia

Session: 2YC and 4YCU Geoscience Student Research Poster Showcase

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Abstract:

As Utah faces increasing water scarcity due to prolonged drought and over-extraction of groundwater, traditional solutions are proving inadequate. The ancient Persian qanat system, developed over 3,000 years ago, offers a sustainable, low-tech alternative. Qanats are underground tunnels that transport groundwater from a high-elevation source (“mother well”) to lower ground using gravity, without depleting the aquifer or requiring energy-intensive pumps. Unlike deep wells that lower water tables and trigger land subsidence, qanats maintain aquifer balance, supporting long-term agriculture and water supply.

Qanats originated in Iran and spread across the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and parts of South America, adapting well to arid and semi-arid climates. Their ecological value lies in preserving desert biodiversity and enabling resilient human settlement amid harsh environments. In many Iranian regions, qanats still supply water for crops like saffron, wheat, and pistachios.

Today, these systems face serious threats—mainly from deep well drilling and aquifer overuse, which are drying qanats and causing dangerous land subsidence. Reviving qanat-inspired approaches in Utah and similar regions could provide a sustainable and culturally rich path forward. Such systems can help meet agricultural and ecological needs while preserving groundwater for future generations.

Our study aims to raise awareness about the qanat’s environmental, cultural, and hydrological importance and encourage modern adaptation in desert regions. By looking to this ancient Persian innovation, we can present practical and proven strategies for sustainable water management in the 21st century.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-6023

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