Real time response strategy for reservoir storage maintenance and desiltation operations

Taking a representative reservoir storage conservation area, Taiwan as an example, the average volume of sediment accumulated in reservoirs has reached one-third of the original designed capacity. This has posed challenges to the utilization of water resources. Therefore, understanding the behavior of sediment transport into reservoirs is crucial for effective reservoir desilting operations. This study applies a practical turbidity current model to investigate the variations in velocity and sediment concentration during the transport of turbid inflows within the reservoir. This enables the estimation of sediment discharge at various outlet works and facilitates the optimization of sediment flushing strategies. The model is validated through numerical simulations based on historical typhoon events. Then, proposes a three-stage approach, including the travel pattern, the updated operation suggestion, and the economic evaluation to combine a cost analysis utilizing mechanical dredging and public water supply employed as a principal countermeasure. Most importantly, this research presents the most convenient and cost-effective way of managing reservoir water resources to take care of both desilting and storage during typhoons. Additionally, the preliminary concept is proposed that real-time prediction can be developed in the field reservoir by using the numerical method in the future.