| Erosion & sedimention control


Coalition and the association with the Omaha District, which we like,” explained Chuck Theiling, ERDC Environmental Lab research ecologist. “We also have the US Geological Survey scientists helping us determine sedimentation patterns in the river and flow rates and such that will really support our research.” Theiling says the success of the pilot project could


lead to much bigger things. “If we can take our estimate from this unit and scale it


up to a larger unit - conceivably something that might span a whole channel - then we can try to collect most of the sediment going by.” The research team is currently developing a


proposal to return to the Niobrara River in late 2025 to further test the influence of bedform transport of sediment across the collector. They hope to use these tests to improve collection methodology and increase collection efficiency.


Colorado River The paradigm for sustainable sediment management


in the US’ Colorado River relies on two factors: 1. Sand accumulation on the bed of the Colorado River during periods of sediment- rich tributary floods from summer/fall thunderstorms.


2. Dam-released controlled (artificial) floods, referred to as High- Flow Experiments (HFEs), to redistribute the accumulated sand to rebuild eroded bar and floodplain deposits. As Grams et al explains in River Research and Applications, the management protocol which specifies narrowly defined sand accumulation periods and HFE implementation windows, is based on implementing HFEs in late autumn during the period of greatest sediment enrichment, before higher winter releases for hydropower erode the accumulated sand from the riverbed. However, low dam releases associated with drought


in recent years have changed the pattern of sand accumulation and low reservoir elevations have prevented HFE implementation in the defined window. The authors give details about an alternative


strategy for HFE planning and implementation that was tested opportunistically in April 2023 following lower than normal winter dam releases. The findings showed that sand enrichment and sandbar building equalled or exceeded that of HFEs conducted under the established management protocol. Furthermore, they show that ‘management goals for sediment under conditions of prolonged drought may be achievable but will likely require substantial changes in dam management strategies’.


Malaysian challenges Kenyir Lake Basin in Malaysia is the largest man-made


lake in Southeast Asia, and crucial for the region’s hydrology and socio-economic activities, including water supply, flood control, hydropower generation, fisheries, and tourism However, the management of reservoir sedimentation here is proving to be a complexly critical challenge for sustainable development across the region. Multiple factors are associated with sedimentation


in Kenyir Lake and include land use changes, deforestation, agricultural activities, and natural erosion processes. All of which are being exacerbated by climate change, with extreme weather events. New research carried out by Wahab et al in the


Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners, proposes a multi-faceted management strategy which involves implementing sediment control measures to reduce sediment influx, establishing regular monitoring programmes to track sedimentation trends, and engaging the local community in sediment management efforts. “Community involvement is paramount in ensuring the success of sedimentation management initiatives,” the authors explain. “Engaging local stakeholders in decision-making processes and promoting awareness about sustainable practices can foster a sense of responsibility towards the lake’s health. Moreover, interdisciplinary collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, and non-governmental organisations is crucial to developing and implementing comprehensive sediment management plans.” Wahab et al add that such a comprehensive


approach aims to provide a framework for managing sedimentation challenges in tropical reservoir systems and will contribute to a broader understanding of reservoir sedimentation issues.


Ethiopian experience


Although Ethiopia is facing challenges in safeguarding its land and water resources, there has been limited research to assess sediment accumulation in reservoirs. Research suggests many dams constructed across the region in recent years have become silted up with sediment, impacting their intended purposes and calling out for the establishment of effective sedimentation monitoring practices. A recent study was undertaken to estimate the sedimentation and service life of the Angereb reservoir in Ethiopia’s Upper Blue Nile Basin. Results showed a total of 2.18 Mm3


of sediment was deposited


on the reservoir bed between 2007 to 2022, with storage capacity decreasing by 62.28% in 16 years of operation, with an average annual volume reduction of 3.9%. Recommendations include addressing soil erosion issues throughout the whole watershed with tailored conservation practices and investment


References


Analysing sedimentation patterns in the Naumure Multipurpose Project (NMP) reservoir using 1D HEC-RAS modelling by Vishan Dahal, Subash Kunwar, Shishir Bhandari, Subash Chaudhary, Saurab Gautam, Nabin Bhatt & Ram Krishna Regmi. www.nature.com/Scientific Reports (2024) 14:22134. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-73883-x


Understanding the cost of soil erosion: An assessment of the sediment removal costs from the reservoirs of the European Union by Panos Panagosa, Francis Matthewsa, Edouard Patault, Carlo De Michele, Emanuele Quaranta, Nejc Bezak, Konstantinos Kaffas, Epari Ritesh Patro, Christian Auel, Anton J. Schleiss, Arthur Fendricha, Leonidas Liakos, Elise Van Eynde, Diana Vieira, Pasquale Borrelli. Journal of Cleaner Production 434(2024)140183. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.140183


Implementation of Controlled Floods for Sediment Management on the Colorado River in Grand Canyon Under Aridification by Paul E. Grams, David J. Topping, Gerard Salter, Katherine A Chapman, Robert B Tusso, Erich R Mueller. River Research and Applications, 2025; 41:334– 348 https://doi.org/10.1002/rra.4374


Reservoir Sedimentation Management: A Sustainable Development Challenge in The Kenyir Lake Basin, Malaysia by Noorjima Abd Wahab, Mohd Khairul Amri Kamarudin, Mohd Ekhwan Toriman, Siti Nor Fazillah Abdullah, Sianturi Novdin Manoktong. Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners Volume 23 Issue 1 (2025), Page 97 – 111


Understanding sedimentation trends to enhance sustainable reservoir management in the Angereb reservoir, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia by Tessema YM, Zimale FA and Kebedew MG (2024.) Front. Water 6:1387915. doi: 10.3389/frwa.2024.1387915


www.waterpowermagazine.com | April 2025 | 35


Above: Drought on the Colorado River in the US. Sustainable sediment management has been recently studied here


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45