Author(s): Shahin Bahraei; Farhad Yazdandoost
Linked Author(s): Farhad Yazdandoost
Keywords: Sustainable Development; Sediment Management; Multi Criteria Decision Making; Best Management Practices
Abstract: Soil erosion and sedimentation is a pressing problem in water resources development and management, demanding a holistic and integrated approach based on sustainable development. Reservoir sedimentation in particular has been traditionally tackled in various ways. Reductions at source, reservoir sediment management and structural measures have often proven effective while each methodology may pose adverse implications on sustainable development. Various Best Management Practices (BMPs) may be adapted to control/manage sediment supply at source. Vegetation cover, terracing, filter strips and check dams have been utilized as effective means of sediment supply control in critical conditions where sub-basin’s sediment supply may have been as high as half the basin’s total sediment load. Sustainability has been addressed here as long term management of reservoir based on continuous provision of reservoir capacity given performance of different BMPs with regards to economical, environmental and social parameters. Based on a case study, different sediment control measures have been investigated and ranked on the basis of appropriate sustainable criteria. ARCSWAT software has been used to estimate different sub-basin’s sediment loads using Digital Elevation Maps (DEMs). Parameters considered as model output comprised “Water yield”, “Sediment yield”, “Nitrate load”, “Cost of construction”, “Cost of dredging”, “Irrigation water value”, “Domestic water value”, “Industrial water value”, and “Agricultural production”. The outputs were termed as different sediment/erosion control scenarios and were then ranked against sustainable sediment management criteria using a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) process. DEFINITE software was used for this purpose and the resulting prioritization outputs were compared with conventional engineering practice procedures as existent baseline approach in the basin.
Year: 2013