ABSTRACT
Reservoir sedimentation can lead to a perturbation of the operating intake, and to sediment entrainment in waterway systems and hydropower schemes. It is currently a must to consider all aspects relating to reservoir sedimentation for any new hydropower and reservoir project. Alternatively, reservoir sedimentation mitigation measures can be classified according to the desilting concept. The risk of reservoir sedimentation scales directly with the size of the directly controlled catchment area. The effect of flushing under pressure is local, and counters reservoir sedimentation only for small basins. To mitigate reservoir sedimentation and to re-establish sediment continuity without causing high suspended sediment concentrations in the river downstream of the dam, fine sediment from reservoirs can be conveyed through power waterways and hence turbines to downstream river reaches. Due to the reservoir backwater into the approach flow river, the reservoir delta grows and river aggradation develops. The prediction of delta growth is important thus for taking measures against sedimentation.
