Evaluation of reservoir sedimentation using bathymetry survey: a case study on Adebra night storage reservoir, Ethiopia

Abstract

Reservoir sedimentation is a serious challenge that reduces reservoir life. Because it decreases the initial capacity of the reservoir and has an impact on drinking water supply, irrigation, and hydropower activities. Inadequate land activities and poor management techniques cause soil erosion and reduce reservoir storage capacity. As a result, accurate sediment estimation was assist in the adoption of sustainable land-use activities and best management practices that lead to effective reservoir operations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of sedimentation and remaining capacity of Adebra night storage reservoir (NSR) using a bathymetric survey and Arc-GIS 10.8. A comparison of original and current reservoir capacity was used to evaluate the quantity of sediment deposition in the reservoir. The latter was developed using Arc-GIS 10.8 and a bathymetry survey that was used to develop the TIN surface and evaluate reservoir volume. The Adebra NSR reservoir capacity was decreased by the accumulation of sedimentation from 36,902 m3 in 2012 to 27,722 m3 in 2020. The results of this study showed that the Adebra night storage reservoir had lost on average 24.8% of its capacity due to sedimentation, during 8 years of operation. The average deposition rate of sedimentation in Adebra NSR was estimated to be 1147.5 m3/year, with a loss rate of 3.1% per year. The value of sedimentation rates found in live storage of the reservoir area was 1147.5 m3/year. At the current time, the expected life of the night storage reservoir was reduced due to a lack of proper soil conservation practices in the reservoir catchment areas. In general, the study finding showed that the capacity of NSR was reduced by the accumulation of sedimentation year to year throughout the design period. Therefore, to improve the capacity of NSR should be planning and implementing different techniques of sediment control and removal, depending on the estimation of sediment production from watersheds of inlets and outlets of reservoirs.