Sedimentation Analysis Study in Lake Tondano Due to the Development of the Surrounding Area

Abstract

Background Population growth has increased the need for food, putting great pressure on the environment. This has triggered economic development and land use alternation, which have a major impact on the hydrological cycle. Natural and human factors have impacted the water catchment area of uncontrolled land cover changes in Lake Tondano, which is shallow from a depth of 36 meters to 14 meters due to soil erosion. Objective This research emphasizes the assessment of the lake, considering the efforts of conservation and analyzing its influence on the erosion rate and shallowing of the lake. The impact of land use dynamics on sedimentation is essential in providing alternative efforts for land conservation and, subsequently, optimum utilization. Methods The analyzing process requires rainfall data and land use maps, including soil type maps and land slope data, while the process itself is assisted by spreadsheets and GIS. In addition, the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Sediment Delivery Ratio (SDR) model deliver the expected result of the total sediment production entering the lake. Results The calculated total value of actual sediment production governs the thickness of sediment deposition at the bottom of the lake. Conclusion The research concludes that the thickness of sediment deposition at lake bottom can be resolved by the total value of actual sediment production, whereas the value is analyzed from the USLE and SDR models previously correlated to bathymetry measurement.