SEDIMENT: THE SILENT THREAT TO RESERVOIR SUSTAINABILITY

Reservoirs are critical elements of global water infrastructure, supporting water supply, flood protection, hydropower generation and ecological functions. Their long-term performance, however, is increasingly undermined by sedimentation – a slow and often overlooked process that reduces storage capacity and disrupts natural sediment continuity along river systems. This article examines sedimentation as a key sustainability challenge for reservoirs and impounded waters. It outlines the causes and impacts of sediment trapping, from declining reservoir capacity to downstream river and delta erosion, and explains why proactive sediment management is essential. The article concludes by presenting continuous sediment transfer as a sustainable approach to maintaining reservoir functionality while restoring sediment continuity.