scholarly journals Numerical modelling of reservoir sedimentation for sustainable storage capacity – a geospatial approach

Author(s):  
Neela Natesh. S ◽  
Dipjyoti. G ◽  
Narmada. K ◽  
Dhanusree. M ◽  
Bhaskaran. G
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Epari Ritesh Patro ◽  
Carlo De Michele

<p>Reservoir sedimentation has a prominent impact on the hydropower performance in the future and is a growing concern for hydropower stakeholders. Sedimentation caused by soil erosion is influenced by various parameters. Reservoir sedimentation is one of the most challenging problems that affect hydroelectric production since it overall causes a reduction of the reservoir capacity that overcomes the annual increase in storage volume and implies a dangerous net loss of energy. The first part of this study examined various Italian reservoirs (50 dams) to determine sedimentation rates and storage capacity loss based on available bathymetric surveys. All the reservoirs studied here have reached an average age of 74 years as of 2019, with the highest loss of capacity observed at 90% and the highest annual sediment yield of 2471 m<sup>3</sup>/km<sup>2</sup>/year. Out of all the reservoirs studied, 25% of them already have reached their half-life as of 2019. The second part of this study extended the work to the specific case study of the Ceppo Morelli hydropower plant. The study was carried out to analyse the water-sediment interaction, future sediment load and prioritizing of critical soil erosion areas using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The distinguishing feature of this work lies in the possibility to exploit remote sensing data (i.e. actual/potential evapotranspiration) to successfully calibrate hydrological models in scarce data regions. Simulation results indicated that the discharge and sediment load entering Ceppo Morelli reservoir will decline and the rate of reduction of latter is higher than that of former for all the future climate scenarios implemented. This analysis will provide a starting point for management and prioritization of adaptation and remediation policies for addressing the issue of reservoir sedimentation. These results are part of the RELAID project funded through PRIN-Italy. The aim of this project is to integrate updated knowledge on hydrologic, hydraulics, and sedimentation processes to address the water and flood risk management of impounded Italian rivers through a holistic paradigm.</p><p>Keywords: reservoir sedimentation; hydropower; hydrological modeling; RELAID; Italy</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farhad Imanshoar ◽  
Afshin Jahangirzadeh ◽  
Hossein Basser ◽  
Shatirah Akib ◽  
Babak Kamali ◽  
...  

Reservoir sedimentation can result in loss of much needed reservoir storage capacity, reducing the useful life of dams. Thus, sufficient sediment storage capacity should be provided for the reservoir design stage to ensure that sediment accumulation will not impair the functioning of the reservoir during the useful operational-economic life of the project. However, an important issue to consider when estimating reservoir sedimentation and accumulation is the uncertainty involved in reservoir sedimentation. In this paper, the basic factors influencing the density of sediments deposited in reservoirs are discussed, and uncertainties in reservoir sedimentation have been determined using the Delta method. Further, Kenny Reservoir in the White River Basin in northwestern Colorado was selected to determine the density of deposits in the reservoir and the coefficient of variation. The results of this investigation have indicated that by using the Delta method in the case of Kenny Reservoir, the uncertainty regarding accumulated sediment density, expressed by the coefficient of variation for a period of 50 years of reservoir operation, could be reduced to about 10%. Results of the Delta method suggest an applicable approach for dead storage planning via interfacing with uncertainties associated with reservoir sedimentation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline W. Maina ◽  
Joseph K. Sang ◽  
Benedict M. Mutua ◽  
James M. Raude

Abstract Soil erosion is one of the main soil degradation phenomena that threaten sustainable use of soil productivity thus affecting food security. In addition, it leads to reservoir storage capacity loss because of sedimentation. This not only affects water quantity but also water quality. Worldwide, annual loss in reservoir storage capacity due to sedimentation is 0.5 to 1%. Similarly, about 27% of land in Africa is largely degraded by erosion. As a result, there is need to minimize soil erosion and deposition through site specific estimation of soil erosion and deposition rates in the reservoirs. To achieve this, Fallout RadioNuclides (FRNs) are some of the methods in use. The most common radionuclides include; 137Cs, 210Pb and 7Be. Only few countries in Africa have exploited these FRNs. In these countries, 137Cs has been largely exploited but in some regions, it has been reported to be below minimum detection limit. Using 137Cs and 210Pb, maximum reference inventory in Africa is found to be 1450 and 2602 Bq/m2, respectively. However, there is minimal application of 7Be within the continent. Also, very little has been done in Africa to assess chronology and sedimentation rates of reservoirs using FRNs measured from sediment cores. In conclusion, a gap still exists on FRNs application in Africa in assessing soil erosion, deposition and reservoir sedimentation.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 03042
Author(s):  
David C. Froehlich

Mathematical expressions are developed that relate the storage capacity loss of reservoirs in India to the catchment area, the reservoir surface area, the original storage volume, and the time since the first filling of the impoundment. The relations for sedimentation of reservoirs found on eastward and westward flowing rivers differ significantly, because of meteorological and geological influences on land surface runoff and sediment yield within reservoir catchments. The formulations give good fits to the assembled data and allow an uncomplicated calculation of the half-life of reservoirs (that is, the time needed for the storage capacity to be reduced by 50%), which offers a measure of when sedimentation will have a significant adverse impact on the functioning of dams.


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