Measurement of suspended solids concentration with integrated size class detection

Significant recent glacier melt has clearly shown the major changes high alpine glaciated areas are subject to. The retreat of glaciers is exposing increasingly large alpine areas, from which sediments enter streams and the water intakes of the powerplants during precipitation events. The suspended sediments entering hydropower plants can cause hydro-abrasive wear on exposed turbine components. This paper presents a recent case study from Switzerland of monitoring and managing sedimentation.