Reservoir Sedimentation and Sustainable Management

Ever wonder what happens when a reservoir reaches the end of its sediment design life? Have you ever thought about how lost water storage benefits of a reservoir could be replaced as it fills with sediment (clay, silt, sand, and gravel)? Many engineers and dam owners may understand that a reservoir will accumulate sediment over time, but they may not know the rate of sedimentation, when or how sediment will eventually impair the operation of dam and reservoir facilities, limit or eliminate the project benefits, or fully understand the upstream and downstream impacts of sedimentation.