The role of appropriate data in modelling the reservoir sedimentation process

Sediment management is widely recognized as a major problem in water resources projects, as reservoir storage capacity will be progressively reduced, unless expensive and complex mitigation measures are adopted in the upstream reaches of the reservoir. The latest assessments on a global level show that sediment deposits in reservoirs reduce the storage capacity by 1 per cent per year. The direct result is that within a relatively short time, global water storage capacity will decrease by 50 per cent. This paper analyses the results obtained from advanced mathematical modelling tools to simulate the sedimentation process in reservoirs with different geometrical, morphological and hydrological characteristics, and located in different parts of the world. The authors demonstrate how technology can be used to increase the reliability of modelling.