Tehran University Assigned to Address the Status of the Gotvand Dam

The controversial Gotvand Dam's issues are reportedly nearing resolution, as stated by Iran's Minister of Energy. Following the transfer of the matter to the Water Institute of Tehran University, official comments on the dam's impact on the Karun River and the environment of Khuzestan will soon be revealed. According to ISNA, Hamid Chitchian, the Minister of Energy, said on Saturday, October 4, that based on recent decisions, the actions of Tehran University have reached a conclusion, and the final decision regarding the Gotvand Dam has been announced. Chitchian mentioned during his visit to the 11th International Water Industry Exhibition in Iran that the government has mobilized a special group consisting of members from the Management and Planning Organization to address the Gotvand Dam issue, which has ultimately been assigned to Tehran University. He noted that after follow-ups, the actions of Tehran University have yielded results, and a final decision has been made in this area, but he refrained from elaborating further at this time. The Gotvand Dam has faced controversies since its initial filling, and following a report from the Water Institute of Tehran University at the Supreme Water Council, Eshaq Jahangiri, the First Vice President of Iran, emphasized that the Management and Planning Organization and the Ministry of Energy should investigate the Gotvand Dam, which is one of the polluting factors of the Karun River. Jahangiri stated that the problems in Khuzestan province, including dust storms and issues related to the Gotvand Dam and the pollution of the Karun River, are a significant concern for the government. The Vice President's remarks about the impact of Gotvand on Karun's pollution come despite previous denials from officials in the Water and Power Ministry regarding the negative effects of the Gotvand Dam on the water quality of the Karun. Since the dam's filling, there have been numerous disagreements about its impacts, with some environmental experts suggesting that the dam's operations should be halted. Now, the Minister of Energy believes that the Gotvand Dam is a legacy of the past, and any decision made by Tehran University regarding it will be mandatory for the ministry to implement. The Gotvand Dam is one of the largest dams in Iran, built on the Karun River in southwestern Iran. It is located 380 kilometers from the Karun River's confluence, 25 kilometers north of Shushtar County, and 10 kilometers northeast of the city of Gotvand in Khuzestan province. The Gotvand Dam is the last dam that can be constructed on the Karun River. Its height is 182 meters, making it the tallest earth-fill dam in the country. In recent months, criticism of the Gotvand's impact on the quality of the Karun water has intensified.