ABSTRACT
Analysis of sedimentation involves the characterization of at least the following aspects, the catchment area, the movement of sediments, the physical attributes of water channels and the nature of deposition. One group of models assesses the mechanical aspects of sediment transport in various degrees of complexity. Empirical methods focus on sediment yields from watercourses. This is done by way of collection and analysis of data on suspended and bed load samples, or by means of surveys of the volume and nature of sediments transported into impoundments, reservoirs, or deltas. The amount of sediment generated depends on several factors, the most important being the watershed factor. The trap efficiency of a reservoir is often defined as that percentage of the total inflow of sediments that is actually deposited in the reservoir, given the type of outlets and the operating rules of the reservoir. Sediments carry nutrients, chemicals and soil particles, all of which can cause severe damage downstream.
