ABSTRACT
The useful life of a dam depends on how well sediment in the dam catchment and the reservoir is managed. Effective sediment management strategies entail an integrated approach wherein appropriate soil conservation measures are adopted in the catchment so that the sediment inflow to the reservoir is within acceptable limits. Likewise, it is also important to ensure that sediment deposition in the reservoir occurs within acceptable limits. Nowadays, different techniques, such as catchment erosion control and upstream sediment trapping, rerouting sediment through drawdown operations or off-stream reservoirs, or periodic removal of deposited sediment through dredging, excavation or hydraulic flushing, are available for sediment management and preservation of the useful life of a dam. An integrated strategy combining economic, ecological, and social concerns for the whole basin is often a preferred approach nowadays. The RESCON (REServoir CONservation) approach developed by the World Bank which promotes policy makers’ awareness of the importance of reservoir conservation in a sustainable manner is also discussed. This chapter discusses various strategies that can be used to accomplish effective sediment management.
