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.
Integrated Method for Optimal Channel Dredging Design
An analytical method that was developed and applied to identify the optimal channel layout and dredging depth for safe navigation in the Mearim Port concept in Brazil.
An Analytical Approach to the Sedimentation Process in Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers
A number of theories are used (Camp, Groot, Miedema and Vlasblom, Yagi, Braaksma, Ooijens and van Rhee) to determine the overflow losses when loading trailing suction hopper dredgers. The model derived here has several important improvements, including the speed of doing the calculations.
Possibilities of Minimising Sedimentation in Harbours in a Brackish Tidal Environment
By studying the different mechanisms of sediment movement, solutions were developed to reduce sedimentation in harbours, and thus reduce the need for maintenance dredging.
Framework for Research Leading to Improved Assessment of Dredge Generated Plumes
There are two types of driving force that urge us to assess the effects of dredge-generated plumes, a genuine concern for the environment and the regulations that forbid us to dredge unless we can demonstrate that harm will not be caused to the environment.
Modelling the Sedimentation Process in a Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger
For production, sand quality and environmental reasons predicting the amount of the so-called overflow losses when using a trailing suction hopper dredger is very important.
Isoviscs as Useful Parameters for Describing Sedimentation
A newly developed procedure to determine the nautical horizon in a typical Fluid-Mud Region is compared with more conventional procedures.
Ennore Breakwater Construction
Monsoons at Ennore on the eastern coast of India are a problem. Part of building the new port was the construction of two breakwaters to protect the harbour against waves and sedimentation, for which a new method of compaction was developed.