Feasibility Study and Economic Evaluation of Alternative Strategies for Reservoirs Desilting (Case Study: barasona dam, spain)

In this research simulation model of sedimentation in dam reservoirs in the arid and semi-arid basins (Water Availability in Semi-Arid environments-SEDiments) was developed. Rainfall-runoff, erosion-sedimentation processes and sediment transfer in the river's catchment, can be simulated by WASA-SED. In this research a new module was added to the WASA-SED model. This module was developed by Fortran programming and will about a decision supporting system for reservoir desilting that supported by engineering relationships that allow the quantification of basic parameters. The model helps to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of implementing the life cycle management approach. Validation of the model has been made using prototype data (Barasona dam in Spain). The computer simulations agree well with the prototype measurements and show that the model is a promising tool for feasibility study and economic evaluation of alternative strategies for reservoirs desilting. The results from the economic optimization routine identify the preferred sediment management technique for sustainable use of the water resource infrastructure.