Lake Urmia (LU) basin is located in northwest of Iran with a total area of 51800 km2

(Figure 1). It is the largest lake in the country and is also one of the world's saltiest bodies of

water. The political boundaries of three provinces (West Azerbaijan, East Azerbaijan and

Kurdistan) cross the basin, which is a determinant constraint for any basin-wide planning.

The lake has been shrinking since 1995 and its area has dramatically decreased.

Continuation of the present condition will damage the region’s industrial and agricultural

sectors and allow salt beds exposed by the shrinkage to be picked up by winds, creating a

serious threat to the health of the inhabitants of the region.