A study of the factors and processes involved in the sedimentation of Tarbela reservoir, Pakistan

Abstract

This study concerns Tarbela dam reservoir which is a major resource of Pakistan in terms of electricity generation and irrigation supplies. Rapid filling of reservoir due to sediment transported and deposited by Indus River is described and analysed in this article. Causes of sediment deposition and their impact on dam’s function and life are studied. The main characteristic parameters of the site are presented. The morphological evolution of the reservoir bed induced by dam construction, between the year 1974 when the River bed was in its original state before dam construction, and the situation of the river bed after the deposition of the sediment in the year 2006, is examined. A numerical model developed in this study (Khawaja and Sanchez in Tarbela dam: a numerical model for sediment management in the reservoir; coastal and maritime mediterranean conference, 1st edn, Hammamet, pp 111–114, 2009) allows obtaining the above-stated provisional evolution of the reservoir over the coming years. Finally, five potential remedial solutions are thoroughly discussed.