SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR SEDIMENT DISTRIBUTION IN RESERVOIRS

Abstract

Sedimentation is an end process. of watershed degradation, watershed being the source area, generates the potential sediment, that is eroded material. Structures like reservoirs, irrigation canals and navigation channels, inspite of their meticulous design and construction, may have resulted in bringing serious problems of sediment deposition. The sediment deposition in the reservoirs is a complex process. and results in reduction in storage capacity, increase in backwater levels in head reaches, rising of flood levels, choking of navigation, and power outlets and formation of islands. For long term planning of efficient utilization of reservoir capacity, mere estimation of total sediment deposition is not sufficient. More important is the estimation of trapped sediment at different levels in the reservoirs. The sediment accumulation in live storage zone has direct effect on allocation of storage volumes for navigation, power, flood moderation and industrial and municipal water supplies. Therefore, realistic prediction of sediment volume depositing at different levels in reservoirs is necessary to account for premature loss of water storage capacity and for long term plan of water volume allocations. Various attempts have been made to develop a model, which can predict the sediment volume depositing at different levels in reservoirs. But the process of sediment transport being complex and three dimensional in nature, the exact prediction of sediment deposition patterns even with modern day sophisticated and complicated mathematical models is not possible. Therefore, it may not be possible to derive a model, which is suitable for field applications. In the present study an attempt has been made to develop a fairly flexible and pragmatic OOP (object-oriented programs) in C++ based on iv emperical area reduction method and area increment method for correct prediction of sediment distribution patterns in reservoirs.