Applying Delphi method in prioritizing intensity of flooding in Ivar watershed in Iran

The management of watersheds and determining intensity of sub-watershed flooding are the major factors in determining prioritization and policy. The present study was conducted to investigate the intensity of flooding by Delphi technique using six criteria of rainfall, snow, slope, vegetation, land form, and land type in Ivar watershed, NE Iran. For this purpose, 20 questionnaires with the different weighting of criteria were selected and based on final scores, the intensity of flooding were classified in five classes viz. very low, low, medium, high, and very high. After that, the criteria were prioritized based on percentage and degree of importance. The results showed rainfall is a significant criterion in flooding of Ivar watershed. In addition, two sub-watersheds were in class of very low intensity of flooding, one sub-watershed in low intensity class, six sub-watersheds in medium intensity class, nine sub-watersheds in high intensity class, and three sub-watersheds in very high intensity class. Sub-watersheds of I’3, I10 and I’8 had the highest intensity of flooding, while sun-watersheds of I’9 and I’4 reached the lowest intensity of flooding which were placed in last priority. I’3 was considered as the most flooding sub-watershed due to high precipitation. Hence, using Delphi method is a useful and practical technique in investigating the intensity of flooding for different area based on their criteria and sub-criteria.