Author(s): Sudesh Dahal; Frederic M. Evers; Robert M. Boes; David F. Vetsch
Linked Author(s): David Vetsch, Robert Boes
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Reservoir sedimentation affects the sustainable operation of dam-reservoir systems as it progressively reduces the storage volume and may also impair functionality of dam safety structures such as bottom outlets. The situation is severe because the global annual loss of reservoir volume due to sedimentation is higher than the increase in storage capacity by the construction of new dams. This implies that our reservoirs are not sustainable and further action needs to be taken to ensure sustainable storage to fulfil the demands of a growing population. It requires in-depth investigation of underlying processes involving complex interactions of hydrodynamic and sediment transport phenomena which are not easy to study analytically. In this study, a 1D numerical model is prepared for the case of sedimentation in Solis Reservoir, Switzerland. A set of modelling parameters is obtained that allows to have a fair agreement between model results and the actual sedimentation processes observed in monitoring campaigns. The model can be further used to investigate the effectiveness of different sediment management strategies.
Year: 2022