Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Sediment Management and Sustainable Use of Reservoirs

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Modern Water Resources Engineering

Part of the book series: Handbook of Environmental Engineering ((HEE,volume 15))

Abstract

Reservoirs have traditionally been designed to operate for periods of 50–100 years without impairment by sedimentation. However, aging reservoirs are now experiencing sedimentation problems that were ignored by the original designers, and to sustain their utilization, it is now necessary to redefine operations and modify structures to manage sediment. This chapter outlines the basic concepts and strategies to consider in predicting and evaluating reservoir sedimentation, in determining the time frame and severity of the problem, and in selecting an appropriate course of action. Strategies from the watershed to the dam are described which can contribute to the achievement of long-term sustainable use.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Hoekstra AY, Chapagain AK (2007) Water footprints of nations: water use by people as a function of their consumption pattern. Water Resour Manag 21:35–48. doi:10.1007/s11269-006-9039-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Blemans H et al (2011) Impact of reservoirs on river discharge and irrigation supply during the 20th century. Water Resour Res 47:1–15. doi:10.1029/2009WR008929

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Palmieri A, Shah F, Dinar A (2001) Economics of reservoir sedimentation and sustainable management of dams. J Environ Manag 61:149–163

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Schnitter NJ (1994) A history of dams: the useful pyramids. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam

    Google Scholar 

  5. World Commission on Dams (2000) Dams and development: a new framework for decision-making. Earthscan Publications Ltd, London and Sterling, VA

    Google Scholar 

  6. Mahmood K (1987) Reservoir sedimentation impact, extent, and mitigation. World Bank technical paper 1971. Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  7. White R (2001) Excavation of sediments from reservoirs. Thomas Telford Ltd, London

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. Basson G (2010) Tackling the growing sedimentation problem. Int Water Power Dam Construct August 9

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sawadogo G (2008) Analysis of observed reservoir sedimentation rates in South Africa. Postgraduate thesis, University of Stellenbosch

    Google Scholar 

  10. Morris GL (2003) Reservoir sedimentation management: worldwide status and prospects. In: Proceedings of world water forum. March 31, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  11. Brundtland Commission (1987) Our common future. Report of world commission on environment and development. http://www.un-documents.net/wced-ocf.htm. Accessed 8 Dec 2011

  12. Loucks DP, Gladwell JS (eds) (1999) Sustainability criteria for water resource systems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  13. International Hydropower Association (2010) Hydropower sustainability assessment protocol: background document. http://hydrosustainability.org/. Accessed 8 Sept 2011

  14. Klein J, Iso-Ahola V, Pratt J, Wade D (2007) San Clemente Dam: an example of funding barriers in dam removal. In: Proc. ASCE World Environmental and Water Resources Congress

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ferrari RL (2006) Reconnaissance techniques for reservoir surveys. US Department of the Interior. Bureau of Reclamation. Technical Service Center, Denver, CO

    Google Scholar 

  16. Fan J, Morris GL (1992) Reservoir sedimentation. I: delta and density current deposits. J Hydraul Eng ASCE 118(3):354–369

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Strand RI, Pemberton EL (1987) Reservoir sedimentation. In: Design of small dams, US Bureau of Reclamation, Denver. http://www.usbr.gov/prints/hydraulics_lab/pubs/index.cfm

  18. Gregory L. Morris Engineering (2008) Sedimentation study Peligre reservoir, Haiti. Report to Inter American Development Bank, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  19. Grover NC, Howard CS (1938) The passage of turbid water through Lake Mead. Trans ASCE 103:720–790

    Google Scholar 

  20. Althaus JJ, De Cesare G (2006) Reservoir sedimentation. Vol 3. In: Sustainable sediment management of alpine reservoir considering ecological and economical aspects. Institut für Wasserwesen, Neubiberg

    Google Scholar 

  21. Ferrari RL (2008) Elephant butte reservoir 2007 sedimentation survey. Tech. report no SRH-2008-4. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lane EW (1954) Some hydraulic engineering aspects of density currents. Hydraulic laboratory report no Hyd-373. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver

    Google Scholar 

  23. Jonas M, Pinkard F, Remus J (2010) USACE reservoir sedimentation: data, assessment and guidance. In: Proceedings of 2nd joint federal interagency conference, June 27–July 1, Las Vegas, Nevada

    Google Scholar 

  24. Carter JE (1991) Niobrara, Nebraska: the town too tough to stay put! Nebraska History 72(1991):144–149

    Google Scholar 

  25. Collier M, Webb RH, Schmidt JC (1995) Dams and rivers: a primer on the downstream effects of dams. USGS circular 1126, Denver

    Google Scholar 

  26. Slagel M, Griggs G (2006) Cumulative loss of sand to the California coast by dam impoundment. Report to Calif. Dept. of Boating and Waterways, by Inst. of Marine Sciences, Univ. of Calif, Santa Cruz

    Google Scholar 

  27. Araújo D, Carlos J, Güntner A, Bronstert A (2006) Loss of reservoir volume by sediment deposition and its impact on water availability in semiarid Brazil. Hydrol Sci J 51(1):157–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Ferrari R, Collins K (2006) Reservoir survey and data analysis. Ch 6. In: Yang CT (ed) Erosion and sedimentation manual. U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Denver

    Google Scholar 

  29. Morris GL, Fan J (1998) Reservoir sedimentation handbook: design and management of dams, reservoirs and watersheds for sustainable use. McGraw-Hill Book Co, New York. http://www.reservoirsedimentation.com. Accessed 8 Sept 2011

  30. Zarris D, Lykoudi E (2003) Comparative analysis of different reservoir surveying methodologies for the optimum volumetric computation of fluvial sediment deposits. In: 7th Hellenic symposium on oceanography and fisheries, 6–9 May, Hersonissos, Crete

    Google Scholar 

  31. Trimble SW, Crosson P (2000) U.S. Soil erosion rates: myth and reality. Science 289(5477):248–250

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Walling DE (1983) The sediment delivery problem. J Hydrol 65:209–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. De Vente J, Poesen J, Arabkhedri M, Verstraeten G (2007) The sediment delivery problem revisited. Progr Phys Geogr 31(2):155–178

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Safamanesh R, Sulaiman WNA, Firuz Ramli M (2006) Erosion risk assessment using an empirical model of Pacific South West inter-agency committee method for Zargeh Watershed, Iran. J Spatial Hydrol 6(2):105–120

    Google Scholar 

  35. De Vente J, Poesen J, Van Rompaey A, Gorers G (2008) Spatially distributed modeling of soil erosion and sediment yield at regional scales in Spain. Global Planet Change 60:393–415

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Haregeweyn N, Poesen J, Jean N, Jan V, Gerty DV, Joris G, Gerard D, Seppe M (2005) Specific sediment yield in Tigray-Northern Ethiopia: assessment and semi-quantitative modeling. Geomorphology 69:315–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Tangestani MH (2006) Comparison of EPM and PSIAC models in GIS for erosion and sediment yield assessment in a semi-arid environment: Afzar catchment, Fars Province, Iran. J Asian Earth Sci 17:585–597

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. De Vente J, Poesn J (2005) Predicting soil erosion and sediment yield at the basin scale: scale issues and semi-quantitative models. Earth Sci Rev 71:95–125

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Burns M, MacArthur R (1996) Sediment deposition in Jennings Randolph Reservoir, Maryland and West Virginia. In: Proceedings of 6th federal inter-agency sedimentation conference, Las Vegas, pp 10.16–10.21

    Google Scholar 

  40. Walling DE (2009) The impact of global change on erosion and sediment transport by rivers: current progress and future challenges. UNESCO. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0018/001850/185078e.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept 2011

  41. Soil and Water Conservation Society (2003) Conservation implications of climate change: soil erosion and runoff from cropland. Ankeny, Iowa. http://www.swcs.org

  42. Nearing MA, Jetten V, Baffaut C, Cerdan O, Couturier A, Hernandez M, Le Bissonnais Y, Nichols MH, Nunes JP, Renschler CS, Souchère V, van Oost K (2005) Modeling response of soil erosion and runoff to changes in precipitation and cover. Catena 61:131–154

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. O’Neal MR, Nearing MA, Vining RC, Southworth J, Pfeifer RA (2005) Climate change impacts on soil erosion in Midwest United States with changes in crop management. Catena 61:165–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Brune GM (1953) Trap efficiency of reservoirs. Trans Am Geophys Union 34(3):407–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Gill MA (1979) Sedimentation and useful life of reservoirs. J Hydrol 44:89–95

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Heinemann HG (1981) A new sediment trap efficiency curve for small reservoirs. Water Resour Bull 17:825–830

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Lara JM, Pemberton EL (1963) Initial unit weight of deposited sediments. In: Proceedings of federal interagency sedimentation conference, USDA-ARS Misc. Publ. 970. Washington DC, pp 818–845

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lane EW, Koelzer VA (1953) Density of sediments deposited in reservoirs. Report no. 9. In: A study of methods used in measurement and analysis of sediment loads in streams. Hydraulic Lab., University of Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  49. Geiger AF (1963) Developing sediment storage requirements for upstream retarding reservoirs. In: Proceedings of federal interagency sedimentation conference, USDA-ARS Misc. Pub. 970. pp 881–885

    Google Scholar 

  50. Gray JR, Bernard JM, Stewart DW, McFaul EJ, Laurent KW, Schwartz GE, Stinson JT, Jonas MM, Randle TJ, Webb JW (2010) Development of a national, dynamic reservoir-sedimentation database. In: Proceedings of 2nd joint federal interagency conference, June 27–July 1, Las Vegas, Nevada

    Google Scholar 

  51. Minear JT, Kondolf GM (2009) Estimating reservoir sedimentation rates at large spatial and temporal scales: a case study of California. Water Resour Res 45, W12502. doi:10.1029/2007WR006703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. Boillat J-L, Oehy CD, Schleiss AJ (2003) Reservoir management in Switzerland. In: Proceedings of 3rd world water forum, Osaka, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  53. Sumi T (2003) Reservoir sedimentation management in Japan. In: Proceedings of 3rd world water forum, Osaka, Japan

    Google Scholar 

  54. Wrem DG, Davidson GR, Walker WG, Galicki SJ (2008) The evolution of an oxbow lake in the Mississippi alluvial floodplain. J Soil Water Conserv 63(3):129–135. doi:10.2489/jswc.63.3.129

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. López T d M, Aide TM, Scatena FN (1998) The effect of land use on soil erosion in the Guadiana watershed in Puerto Rico. Caribbean J Sci 34(3–4):298–307

    Google Scholar 

  56. Trimble SW (1974) Man-induced soil erosion on the Southern Piedmont, 1700–1970. Soil Conservation Society of America. Ankeny, Iowa

    Google Scholar 

  57. Brooks ES, Boll J, Snyder AJ, Ostrowski KM, Kane SL, Wulfhorst JD, Van Tassell LW, Mahler R (2010) Long-term sediment loading trends in Paradise Creek watershed. J Soil Water Conserv 65(6):332–342. doi:10.2489/jswc.65.6.331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. European Environment Agency (2010) Erosion rate in the Alps. http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/figures/erosion-rate-in-the-alps. Accessed 8 Dec 2011

  59. Grace JM, Clinton BD (2007) Protecting soil and water in forest road management. Trans Am Soc Agricult Biol Eng 50(5):1579–1584, http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/usdafsfacpub/58

    Google Scholar 

  60. Warrick JA, Rubin DM (2007) Suspended-sediment rating curve response to urbanization and wildfire, Santa Ana River, California. J Geophys Res 112 (FO2018). doi:10.1029/2006JF000662

  61. Rosgen D, Silvey L (1996) Applied river morphology. http://www.wildandhyrology.com

  62. USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (2007) Stream restoration design handbook. http://directives.sc.egov.usda.gov/viewerFS.aspx?id=3491

  63. Renwick WH, Smith SV, Bartley JD, Buddemeier RW (2005) The role of impoundments in the sediment budget of the conterminous Unites States. Geomorphology 71:99–111

    Article  Google Scholar 

  64. Meade RH, Parker RS (1984) Sediment in the rivers of the US. In: National water summary. USGS, Reston, VA

    Google Scholar 

  65. Larsen MC, Simon A (1993) Rainfall intensity-duration threshold for landslides in a humid-tropical environment, Puerto Rico. Geogr Ann A 75(1–2):13–21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Kirchner JW, Finkel RC, Riebe CS, Granger DE, Clayton JL, King JG, Meghan WF (2001) Mountain erosion over 10 yr, 10 k.y., and 10 m.y. time scales. Geology 29(7):591–594

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Williams GP (1989) Sediment concentration versus water discharge during single hydrologic events in rivers. J Hydrol 111:89–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Horowitz AJ (2003) An evaluation of sediment rating curves for estimating suspended sediment concentrations for subsequent flux calculations. Hydrol Process 17:3387–3409

    Article  Google Scholar 

  69. Ferguson RI (1986) River loads underestimated by rating curves. Water Resour Res 22(1):74–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Asselman NEM (2000) Fitting and interpretation of sediment rating curves. J Hydrol 234(2000):224–248

    Google Scholar 

  71. Glysson GD (1987) “Sediment transport curves,” USGS open-file report 87-218, Reston, VA

    Google Scholar 

  72. Wu CM (1991) Reservoir capacity preserving practice in Taiwan. In: Proceedings of 5th federal interagency sedimentation conference, Las Vegas, pp 10.75–10.81

    Google Scholar 

  73. Morris GL (2010) Offstream reservoirs for sustainable water supply in Puerto Rico. In: Am. Water Resource Assn., Summer Specialty Conf. Aug 30–Sept 1, San Juan

    Google Scholar 

  74. Annandale GW (1987) Reservoir sedimentation. Elsevier Science Publishers, New York

    Google Scholar 

  75. Sumi T, Okano M, Takata Y (2004) Reservoir sedimentation management with bypass tunnels in Japan. In: Proceedings of 9th Intl. Symp. on River Sedimentation, Oct 18–21, Yichang, China

    Google Scholar 

  76. Auel C, Berchtold T, Boes R (2010) Sediment management in the Solis reservoir using a bypass tunnel. In: 8th ICOLD European club symposium, 22–23 Sept, Innsbruck

    Google Scholar 

  77. Sundborg A, Jansson MB (1992) Present and future conditions of reservoir sedimentation. In: Jansson MB, Rodríguez A (eds) Sedimentological studies on the Cachí Reservoir, Costa Rica. UNGI Report No. 81. Department of Physical Geography, Uppsala University, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  78. International Research & Training Center on Erosion & Sedimentation (2005) Case study on the yellow river sedimentation. UNESCO-IHP International Sedimentation Initiative, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  79. Fan J (1985) Methods of preserving reservoir capacity. In: Bruk S (ed) Methods of computing sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs. UNESCO, Paris, pp 65–164. http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0011/001121/112133eo.pdf. Accessed 8 Sept 2011

  80. Meshkati Shahmirzadi ME, Dehghani AA, Sumi T, Naser Gh, Ahadpour A (2010) Experimental investigation of half-cone scouring against dam. In: Dittrich A, Koll K, Aberle J, Geisenhainer P (eds) River flow 2010. Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau ISBN 978-3-939230-00-7

    Google Scholar 

  81. Brown CB (1943) The control of reservoir silting. USDA Misc. Pub. 521. U.S. Govt. Printing Office, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  82. Xia M (1989) Lateral erosion, a storage recovery technique for silted-up reservoirs. In: Proceedings of 4th Intl. Symp. river sedimentation, Beijing, pp 1143–1149

    Google Scholar 

  83. Sumi T, Kantoush SA (2010) Integrated management of reservoir sediment routing by flushing, replenishing, and bypassing sediments in Japanese river basins. In: International Symposium on Ecohydrology, Kyoto. pp 831–838

    Google Scholar 

  84. Crosa G, Castelli E, Gentili G, Espa P (2010) Effects of suspended sediments from reservoir flushing on fish and macroinvertebrates in an alpine stream. Aquat Sci 72:85–95. doi:10.1007/s00027-009-0117-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Atkinson E (1996) The feasibility of flushing sediment from reservoirs. Report OD-137. HR Wallingford, Wallingford

    Google Scholar 

  86. Hotchkiss RH, Huang X (1995) Hydrosuction sediment-removal systems (HSRS): principles and field test. ASCE J Hyd Eng 121(6):479–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Eftekharzadeh S (1987) Sediment bypass system for impounding reservoirs. PhD dissertation, University of Arizona

    Google Scholar 

  88. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1987) Confined disposal of dredged material. EM 1110-2-5027, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  89. Kantoush S, Sumi T (2010) River morphology and sediment management strategies for sustainable reservoir in Japan and European Alps. Ann Disas Prev Res Inst Kyoto Univ 53(B):821–839

    Google Scholar 

  90. Hartmann S (2009) Sediment management in alpine reservoirs–recommendations and best practice guide. Institüt fur Wasserwesen, Univ. der Bundeswehr München. http://www.alpreserv.eu

  91. Yang CT (1996) Sediment transport: theory and practice. McGraw-Hill Book Co, New York (reprint by Krieger Publishing Co., 2003)

    Google Scholar 

  92. Simões FJM, Yang CT (2006) Sediment modeling for rivers and reservoirs. Ch 5. In: Yang CT (ed) Erosion and sedimentation manual. US Bureau of Reclamation, Denver

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. GLM Engineering Corp., San Juan, PR, USA

    Gregory L. Morris Ph.D., P.E.

Authors
  1. Gregory L. Morris Ph.D., P.E.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Zorex Corporation, Newtonville, New York, USA

    Lawrence K. Wang

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

    Chih Ted Yang

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Morris, G.L. (2014). Sediment Management and Sustainable Use of Reservoirs. In: Wang, L., Yang, C. (eds) Modern Water Resources Engineering. Handbook of Environmental Engineering, vol 15. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-595-8_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-62703-595-8_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-62703-594-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-62703-595-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation