University of Tabriz Journal of Hydrogeomorphology 2383-3254 9 33 2023 01 20 Spatial variations of hydrological drought in different time scales in rivers of Ardabil province Spatial variations of hydrological drought in different time scales in rivers of Ardabil province 36 21 14988 10.22034/hyd.2022.51550.1637 FA Nahideh Parchami Ph.D Student of Watershed Management Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran Raoof Mostafazadeh Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili Abazar Esmali Ouri Professor, Department of Watershed Management and Member of Water Management Research Institute, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Rasol Imani Faculty of natural science, Dept of watershed managemet Journal Article 2022 05 12 During the occurrence of hydrological drought, the river flow will be reduced and the quality of the river ecosystem will be degraded. Determining the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrological drought makes it possible to plan for the optimal use of river water. In this study, temporal and spatial changes of river flow index (SDI) in watersheds of Ardabil province were evaluated. In this regard, daily flow time series of 28 hydrometric stations in Ardabil province were analysed. River flow drought index was calculated using DrinC software and then hydrological drought characteristics were analyzed and spatial variations of SDI index were determined in 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and annual temporal scales in GIS software. 1-month SDI values (short-term droughts) showed that severe droughts were more common in rivers with low discharge values. However, most rivers with low and high amounts of river flow discharge have experienced severe seasons. The annual (long-term) hydrological drought index in most stations was in the range of -1.5 SDI greater than or equal to -1, which indicates the occurrence of mild drought. Spatial changes of SDI showed that the spatial variations of drought index on a 1-month scale are completely different from the annual scale. The lowest occurrence of hydrological drought was in upstream stations and flowing rivers in Sabalan hillsides. Severe and very severe droughts occur in low discharge rivers. The higher the river discharge, the lower the incidence of severe droughts, and the greater its flow stability than low-discharge rivers. During the occurrence of hydrological drought, the river flow will be reduced and the quality of the river ecosystem will be degraded. Determining the temporal and spatial variations of the hydrological drought makes it possible to plan for the optimal use of river water. In this study, temporal and spatial changes of river flow index (SDI) in watersheds of Ardabil province were evaluated. In this regard, daily flow time series of 28 hydrometric stations in Ardabil province were analysed. River flow drought index was calculated using DrinC software and then hydrological drought characteristics were analyzed and spatial variations of SDI index were determined in 1-month, 3-month, 6-month and annual temporal scales in GIS software. 1-month SDI values (short-term droughts) showed that severe droughts were more common in rivers with low discharge values. However, most rivers with low and high amounts of river flow discharge have experienced severe seasons. The annual (long-term) hydrological drought index in most stations was in the range of -1.5 SDI greater than or equal to -1, which indicates the occurrence of mild drought. Spatial changes of SDI showed that the spatial variations of drought index on a 1-month scale are completely different from the annual scale. The lowest occurrence of hydrological drought was in upstream stations and flowing rivers in Sabalan hillsides. Severe and very severe droughts occur in low discharge rivers. The higher the river discharge, the lower the incidence of severe droughts, and the greater its flow stability than low-discharge rivers. https://hyd.tabrizu.ac.ir/article_14988_e965bc1bf3519d823b06c3e8a3a28a51.pdf