Reservoir desilting methods

Brabben, T. (1988) Reservoir desilting methods. Project Report. HR Wallingford.

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Abstract

Reservoir sedimentation and the consequent loss of valuable water is a cause for concern, particularly in countries where the livelihood of many people depends upon reliable supplies of impounded water for drinking and irrigation. This report is a review of what information and techniques are available to avoid sediment deposition in reservoirs and on how to remove deposited sediment. It is recognised that the most effective technique, in the long term, is to prevent excessive sediment reaching the reservoir by means of drainage basin management. However, techniques described in this report are about what can be done with the sediment once it has reached the main tributary rivers of a reservoir or been deposited in the reservoir. The experience gained from working in collaboration with reservoir managers in Indonesia, The Philippines, Kenya and Zimbabwe is used to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each method. A simple economic analysis is used to demonstrate the value of including dredging, using small portable dredgers, in the planning and design of small reservoirs in Africa and SE Asia. A more rigorous analysis with access to the results of a field trial is called for. Reservoirs will continue to fill with sediment and as suitable sites are used up so the need for desilting will increase. Future research should be aimed at understanding sedimentation so as to design suitable desilting systems. Future plans and designs for reservoirs in areas of high sediment yield should allow for the control of sediment.

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