RESERVOIR COAST RESPONSE TO WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS

Abstract

In the large reservoirs the classical development of shores under the impact of wave action and water level fluctuations results in erosion during the water level rise and in the movement of coastline toward water storage during fall in water level. In the case of “non-classical” development water level rise results in the submergence of coastal areas and accumulation, while the fall in the water level results in the cutting of the dereliction, slackening of the beach drift and subsequent cutting of the adjacent shores. Such types of evolution take place on the shores of both large reservoirs and seas. Considering geomorphological similarity of the coasts of seas and the storage lakes, large reservoirs may serve as models for studying and forecasting seashore response to water level fluctuations.