Function of check dam aggradation in local water supply of mountainous areas

Abstract

Check dams are built to control erosion processes and torrential floods. In Serbia, legally binding documents, VOS (2002) and PPRS (2010), provide the concept for the water supply of the population and industry by regional systems for which water is provided by building high dams and formation of reservoirs. With this concept, it is often not possible to meet the needs of local communities in mountainous areas. In order to contribute to solving the water supply problems of these mostly poor villages, research was conducted on the possibility of using check dam aggradation groundwater for this purpose. Field investigations and analysis of project documentation for numerous check dams and aggradations in Serbia were carried out. Potential quantities and quality of groundwater in the aggradations were analyzed as a resource for the water supply of the population. The results of the research indicate very favorable possibilities of the aggradations for the accumulation of groundwater in the form of unconfined or phreatic aquifer with a free water table, in quantities that can be used for water supply. It was stated that: 1) under favorable conditions, with check dams on watercourses with constant flow and large-scale aggradations, there is a possibility of accumulating sufficient quantities of groundwater as a resource for water supply, 2) improving the quality of infiltrated waters by the process of filtration through intergranular porous media of the aggradation, and reaching the level of water supply quality, and 3) favorable economic parameters for opening the source at the aggradation, compared to other types of water sources. The possibility that check dams, in addition to their traditional role, could be used for local water supply facilities was also highlighted.