See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/268188542

Evaluation of sedimentation and flushing by mathematical model in reservoirs

of the successive Dez stream dams in Iran

Article in Journal of Food Agriculture and Environment · April 2010

CITATIONS READS

6 1,188

2 authors, including:

Arash Adib
Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz
99 PUBLICATIONS 937 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Arash Adib on 20 March 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 WFL Publisher
Science and Technology

Meri-Rastilantie 3 B, FI-00980 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol.8 (2): 980-987. 2010 www.world-food.net
Helsinki, Finland
e-mail: [email protected]

Evaluation of sedimentation and flushing by mathematical model in reservoirs of the

successive Dez stream dams in Iran
Amin Tagavifar 1 and Arash Adib 2*
1
Khorramshahr University of Marine Science and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran. 2 Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of
Engineering, Shahid Chamran University, Golestan Blvd, Ahvaz, Iran. *e-mail: [email protected]

Received 23 January 2010, accepted 11 April 2010.

Abstract
The successive Dez stream dams (the Dez 1 dam, the Dez 2 dam & the Dez 3 dam) will be constructed on the Dez River for production of electrical
energy. Because of the heights of these dams are low, it is required to control sedimentation in the corresponding reservoirs. Sedimentation will capture
the volume of reservoirs very rapidly. In this paper, a method of sediment management and mathematical simulation for flushing from reservoir of
dams is explained. Lack of sediment data and inaccuracy of acceptable sediment data are considered. Sensitivity analysis of the mathematical model
is evaluated for variation of sediment parameters. This paper shows that flushing can retrieve beneficial storage of reservoirs.

Key words: Flushing, sediment, flushing structures, the Dez hydropower plant.

Introduction
An important factor that reduces useful life of dams is different methods for removal of sediment in this reservoir too. Its
sedimentation in reservoir created by the dams. Problems caused aim was increasing the life of Maithon reservoir 4. Also, the
by reservoir sedimentation are aggregation in the backwater region reservoir sedimentation processes have been studied in response
causing increased flood levels, elevated ground water levels, to changes in incoming flow at the upstream and changes in the
navigation impairment, deposition from or into a tributary, entry pool level at the downstream for Sanmenxia reservoir, which is
of sediments into hydropower turbines and loss of beneficial located on the middle reach of the Yellow River in China 5.
storage. Significant advances have been made in understanding Flushing may be one of the most economic methods which offer
the importance of the factors involved in reservoir sedimentation. recovering lost storage without incurring the expenditure of
However, predicting the accumulation ofsediment in a reservoir is dredging or other mechanical means of removing sediment. The
still a complex problem. Inestimating reservoir sedimentation and studies of HR Wallingford on 50 reservoirs which are being, or
accumulation, a number of uncertainties arise. These are related have been flushed, show that in some cases the flushing was
to quantity of stream flow, sediment load, sediment particle size successful and in others there was little or no success. Also,
and specific weight, trap efficiency and reservoir operation. Several studies show that successful flushing depends on some
methods can be applied for removal of sediment from reservoir of characteristics such as the catchment’s area, the storage capacity
dams, for example, flushing is a method for removal of sediment. of the reservoir, the shape of the reservoir basin, the deployment
Many researchers have studied sedimentation in reservoirs and of full or partial draw down, the low level outlet facilities provided
the effects of flushing. They have considered theoretical aspects and downstream impacts 6. A study stated that it is doubtful
of this subject. They applied numerical models and stochastic whether flushing is effective in larger reservoirs 7 and another
methods for their researches. For example, researchers used Monte study argued that this solution is only suitable for reservoirs with
Carlo simulation and Latin hypercube sampling to quantify the a yearly excess input of water 8.
uncertainty of annual reservoir sedimentation and accumulated However, it has been proved that flushing can be highly effective
reservoir sedimentation through time. One case study was the at some sites, for example, the Baira reservoir in India, Gebidem
Kenny Reservoir at the White RiverBasin in Colorado 1. Hydraulic reservoir in Switzerland, Gmund reservoir in Austria, Hengshan
model studies have been applied for studying sediment routing reservoir in China, Honglingjin reservoir in China, Mangahao
during floods, sediment flushing during floods, emptying and reservoir in New Zealand, Naodehai reservoir in China, Palagneda
flushing and density current venting. Studies have been carried reservoir in Switzerland, Santo Domingo reservoir in Venezuela 9
out for several dams and rivers in China (Sanmenxia, Guanting, and Sefid Roud reservoir in Iran. Two methods are applied for
Shanyiujiang and Liujiaxia reservoirs as well as the flushing (free flow flashing and pressure flushing). During under
Shanshenggorig barrage and Xijin hydropower station) 2, 3. It has pressure flushing, water is released through the bottom outlets
been evaluated different methods for preventing entrance of while the water level in the reservoir is kept high. Free flow flushing
sediment to Maithon Reservoir in India. It has been considered means that the reservoir has been emptied and the inflowing water

980 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010
from upstream is routed through the reservoir, resembling natural Fig. 1 and 2 show the downstream and upstream of successive
river conditions. Dez stream dams, respectively.
In the research described in this paper, sedimentation and free
flow flushing were evaluated in hydropower plant of the successive
Dez stream dams. In addition, sensitivity analysis was performed
Andimeshk City Dez Dam
to examine the importance of various factors on the sedimentation Chamgolak
in reservoir. These factors are quantity of stream flow, sediment
load and sediment particle size.

Dez
Gotvand

Rive
Case Study Shooshtar City

Shotait
The Bakteary River and the Sezar River are major branches of the Band e Mizan
Pol e Koshtargah Abbaspour Dam
Dez River in Iran. These branches connect to another branch in

River
Gargar River
Doab. The length of the Dez River is 38 km. This river pours to Dez
lake. Four large reservoir dams were designed on the Bakteary Band e Ghir
Mollasini
River (the Roodbar Lorestan dam, the Liro dam, the Zalaki dam Veis City
and The Bakteary dam). These dams can control floods and can Zargan
Avaz City
produce a large amount of electrical energy, but the Sezar River is Pol e Panjom
not suitable for construction of a storage dam. Since constructing
Om el Tomair Legend N
a storage dam on the Sezar River, Tehran- Khorramshahr railway
Constructed dam
will go under water. Making new large dams on the Dez River is Underconstruction dam
not possible but construction of small dams is possible. In this River

er
City

Riv
Darkhovain Hatchery Drain
regard, three successive Dez stream dams (the Dez 1 dam, the Dez

oon
2 dam and the Dez 3 dam) were designed on the Dez River at the Lake

Kar
Relatively high
downstream of the Bakteary storage dam to produce electrical High

Ba
Khorramshahr City Immediate
energy. On the other hand, the Dez dam is rather large and was

hm
Abadan City Low

an
sh
constructed on the Dez River in 1962. Three successive stream Very low

Ar

ir
Affected by the Persian Gulf

van

Ri
dams will be constructed at the upstream of the Dez dam in future.

ve
dR

r
The difference between water surface elevations in reservoir of

ive
Persian Gulf

r
the Dez dam and hydropower plant of the Bakteary dam is 175 m.
Figure 1. The map of downstream of the Dez dam.
This difference in the elevation is very useful for producing
electrical energy. The major part of discharge of hydropower plant
of the successive Dez stream dams is outflow from hydropower The Dez storage dam is at the end of mountainous part of Dez
plant of the Bakteary dam. Reservoirs of successive Dez stream watershed. The area of the Dez dam watershed is 17,365 km2. The
dams will prepare another part of discharge of hydropower plant Dez watershed lies between longitudes 48°10' and 50°21' east and
of the Dez dam by saving and regulating daily discharge of the latitudes 32°36' and 34°7' north. This dam is a double curvature
Dez River and the Sezar River. concrete arch dam with a height of 203 m and initial storage capacity
Table 1 shows the characteristics of successive Dez stream dams of the reservoir of 3315.6 MCM which has, for 40 years, fulfilled a
and Table 2 shows economic analysis of construction of these very important role in the areas of power generation (520 MW),
dams. water supply (125 thousand hectares of irrigation) and flood

Table 1. The characteristics of successive Dez stream dams.

Characteristics The Dez 1 dam The Dez 2 dam The Dez 3 dam
The height of dam from the bed of river (m) 40 25 42
Total volume of reservoir (MCM) 14 5 12
Beneficial storage volume of reservoir (MCM) 1.5 1.1 1.2
Average of annual discharge (m3/s) 248 253 258
Capacity of hydropower plant (MW) 225 490 215
Peak of annual energy (GW) 401 854 389
Total of annual energy (GW) 521 1112 513

Table 2. Economic analysis of construction of the successive Dez stream dams.

Hydropower plant Hydropower plant Hydropower plant Hydropower plant
of the Dez 1 dam of the Dez 2 dam of the Dez 3 dam of the successive
Dez stream dams
Primary investment
126.3 269 122.1 517.4
(million USD)
The total of cost
166.4 348.3 160.2 674.9
(million USD)
The total of benefit
223.7 476.8 218.5 919
(million USD)
Benefit/Cost 1.36
For economic analysis, the cost of one m3 of consumed gas by hydropower plant was considered 0.047 USD and the rate of bank benefit was assumed 8%.

Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010 981
 stream dams, these reservoirs will lose their
Hydro_st.shp economic justification and regulating
Dez_basin.shp
characteristics rapidly. Almost 63% of
sediment is trapped by the construction of
the Bakteary dam. This sediment belongs to
N
the Bakteary River which is measured in
W E
Telezang station. After trapping the sediment
in the Bakteary dam, sediment discharge
S decreases to 6.1 MCM, but this value is very
high and can fill reservoir storage of
successive Dez stream dams at very short
time. The major part of sediment belongs to
Dez watershed floods and they move to the downstream at
Iran the duration of flood, but concentration of
sediment is low at other situations. Flushing
structures must be designed based on flood
conditions. A number of spillways with large
Dez 1 sluice gates are to be provided on the body
Dez 2
Dez 3 of successive Dez stream dams for flushing
Figure 2. The map of the Dez watershed and its location in Iran. of sediment. When these gates are opened,
a great discharge enters the Dez River. The
control. This dam has three outlets which lie in elevation 229.3 m width of these spillways is equal to the width of the Dez River.
above sea level. These outlets evacuated water of reservoir in The height of radial gates is more than half the height of the body
emergency conditions. Because of sedimentation, they have of the dam. Fig. 3 shows the body of the Dez 2 dam.
evacuated sediment since 1994. The level of crest of the Dez dam With the start of floods, radial gates are opened completely and
is 352 m above sea level. The volume of arrival sediment was flushing begins. Flood overflows from the crest of spillway freely
estimated at 840 MCM for a 50 years period. The hydrographic and it is conducted to the downstream. Flood and total of stored
action in 2002 showed that sedimentation reduced useful storage water of the reservoir are vacated. Evacuation of flood decreases
of reservoir of the Dez dam from 3315.6 MCM to 2700 MCM (19% water surface elevation in the reservoir of the dam and it increases
reduction). Also, sedimentation increased the level of bed surface velocity of flow and decreases the rate of sediment settlement in
of deposited sediment from 180 to 256 m above sea level. The the reservoir of dam considerably. Also, flushing washes the
level of inlet of turbine is 270 m above sea level. Difference between deposited sediment above the bottom level of spillway and moves
levels of inlet of turbine and bed surface of deposited sediment is it out of the reservoir. With the increase of intensity and duration
14 m. Sedimentation will fill this space in near future. Therefore, of flood, its flushing power increases 12. Fig. 4 shows sedimentation
construction of successive Dez stream dams at the upstream of procedure and flushing.
the Dez storage dam for producing electrical energy is necessary. When a flood arrives at the reservoir of the dam, its velocity
decreases considerably. Coarse sediment deposits at the upstream
Sediment discharge of the Dez River and its effects
on reservoirs of successive Dez stream dams:
Sedimentation rate was estimated at 870 ton/km2.year
by PSIAC (Pacific Southwest Interagency Committee)
model in 1958 10. This model can calculate erosion- 1 1 Upstream cofferdam
potential and sediment-yield in watersheds. This rate 2 Power tunnel intake
2
was estimated at 1000 ton/km2.year by satellite data 3 Spillway
4 Dam body
and results of fathom studies of reservoir Dez dam in 3
5 Stilling basin
2003 11. Production of sediment increases gradually from 8
6 Access road to dam site
upstream of river to downstream of river. Sedimentation 7 Downstream cofferdam
8 Diversion tunnel
rate is 500-600 ton/km2.year in the Salakhor desert and 4 5
the Aligodarz desert at the upstream of the Dez River
and sedimentation rate is 1600-1700 ton/km2 year in PLAN
6 7
the reservoir of Dez dam 10, 11.
Gate in raised position
Methodology and structures of sediment evacuation 10000 Yrs Flood
H.W.EL. 480.40 484.00
in reservoirs of successive Dez stream dams: The
volumes of reservoirs of the successive Dez stream
dams (Dez 1, Dez 2 and Dez 3) are 14, 5 and 12,
461.50
respectively, while annual sediment discharge is 16.5
454.00
MCM in successive Dez stream dams. If this sediment
deposits in the reservoirs of the successive Dez Figure 3. Plan and cross section of the Dez 2 dam.

982 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010
 Sediment surface at reservoir initial impoundment arrival of discharge to reservoir is equal to exiting
Maximum water surface elevation
Minimum water surface elevation
flood from spillway. Hydraulic conditions of
reservoir are similar to hydraulic conditions of river
at flushing period. Delta is washed by high
velocity of flow at flushing period. Delta converts
Reservoir to bed load and it moves to the downstream of
Initial reservoir. This sediment is trapped behind ogee
Impoundment
spillway and it is stopped. At the beginning of
Sediment surface at reservoir early stage sedimentation
flushing period, the height of sediment column
Maximum water surface elevation
reaches the bottom level of spillway. In the flushing
Minimum water surface elevation
period, the washed sediment from delta comes out
from reservoir with the flow. Flushing decreases
sedimentation in the reservoir and it empties the
Reservoir
parts that sediment occupied before flushing. At
Early Stage the end, beneficial storage is stabilized by flushing.
Sedimentation Although beneficial storage varies based on
Sediment surface at reservoir early stage sedimentation variation flushing power of floods, this variation
Water surface elevation at reservoir Sediment surface at reservoir initial flushing is negligible. In the flushing period, the bed level
initial flushing
of reservoir is equal to the bottom level of the
spillway. The bed level of reservoir increases
toward the upstream of reservoir gradually. The
slope of the bed reservoir is milder than the slope
Reservoir
of the river.
Initial
Flushing Strategy of flushing in the successive Dez stream
dams and the effects of flushing of upstream
Sediment surface at reservoir after sedimentation
Sediment Maximum water surface elevation reservoir on its downstream reservoirs: The
Minimum water surface elevation successive Dez stream dams will have daily runoff
ponds. They were designed for production of
electrical energy in the daily peak hours. In the
non-peak hours, inflows to reservoir will be
Reservoir reserved. After useful storage of dam is filled by
After
Sedimentation
inflows to reservoir, the additional inflows will be
evacuated by outlets of hydropower plant. In the
Water surface elevation at reservoir during flushing
Sediment surface at reservoir after sedimentation peak hours, inflows to reservoir and reserved water
of reservoir will be evacuated by outlets of
Sediment surface at reservoir during flushing
hydropower plant and electrical energy will be
produced. This procedure will repeat at each day
and water release from outlets of hydropower plant
while gates of spillways are closed. This phase is
Reservoir sedimentation phase.
During In flushing phase, gates of spillways will be
Flushing
opened perfectly. Floods will move deposited
Sediment surface at recovered reservoir after flushing sediment of sedimentation phase and will carry
Maximum water surface elevation out them from reservoir. In this phase, gates of
Minimum water surface elevation
outlets of hydropower plant are closed and water
and sediment are evacuated by spillways.
The successive Dez stream dams will form a
waterfall system on the Dez River. Outflow from
Recovered the upstream reservoir arrives at the downstream
Reservoir
After Flushing reservoir rapidly. Hydropower plant of the Dez 1
dam is more important than hydropower plants of
Figure 4. Sedimentation and flushing procedure in reservoir.
the Dez 2 dam and the Dez 3 dam because it locates
at the upstream of them. The reservoir of the Dez
of reservoir and sediment delta forms in this position 13, 14. Delta 1 dam is the main reservoir of the system. The considerable volume
formation increases gradually and it progresses to the downstream of sediment will be evacuated from reservoir to river by flushing.
of reservoir. This sediment will go toward the downstream reservoir. For
At the first of flood season, radial gates are opened for flushing prevention of sedimentation at downstream reservoir, the gates
and the water of reservoir is vacated perfectly. After this action, of spillways of successive stream dams must be opened

Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010 983
simultaneously. In this situation, flushing will be accomplished forming of armor layer, variations of width of river, stability of
contemporaneously in different reservoirs of the successive Dez slope of bank of river and soon for sediment transport. This model
stream dams. is a quasi 2-D and quasi unsteady model. GSTARS.3 model does
not need a great amount of data for calibration. GSTARS.3 model
Mathematical model for sedimentation and flushing: Application is a new model that calculates water surface elevation and sediment
of hydropower plant of the Dez River consists of three steps: transport in rivers with deformable bed. Also this model can
Step 1: The major part of discharge of hydropower plant of the simulate sedimentation and flushing procedure. Yang et al.
Dez dam is outflow from hydropower plant of the Bakteary dam developed this model in USBR 16, 17.
(almost 600 CMS). Reservoirs of successive Dez stream dams will
prepare another part of discharge of hydropower plant of the Dez Necessary data for GSTARS.3 model: Sediment transport models
dam by saving and regulating daily discharge of the Dez River need basic information for simulation. A number of basic
and the Sezar River. If the volume of saved water is more than information is geometry of cross sections, Manning’s coefficient,
necessary for producing energy at the peak hours (almost 750 sediment grain size curve, fine sediment characteristics and yield
CMS), this additional volume will produce secondary energy. In regime. Basic parameters were classified into three classes: 1)
this step, radial gates are closed completely and the sediment geometric and hydrologic characteristics of river, 2) discharge of
deposits in the reservoir of the dam. sediment and 3) grain size of sediment and characteristics of
Step 2: If discharge of the Dez River and Sezar River and outflow sediment.
from hydropower plant of the Bakteary dam is more than necessary Geometric characteristics of river will be prepared by survey.
for producing energy in peak period, hydropower plant will not For calibration and validation of model, at least hydrographic
use water saved in the reservoir. In this step, inflow to reservoir is action must accomplish in three periods. Often, relation between
equal to outflow from it. Inflow goes to hydropower plant directly. discharge of flow and sediment load is an exponential relation.
Trapping efficiency decreases in the reservoir. If inflow is more This exponential relation is prepared by SCS method and data of
than the capacity of hydropower plant, additional flow will be hydrometric stations.
released from spillways. As a result, outflow from reservoir and This relation is known as discharge- sediment discharge equation
the average velocity of flow increase. Although deposition of and it is applied for determination of sediment load at different
sediment decreases in this step, the reservoir is at sedimentation time steps (daily period, monthly period and yearly period). Also,
phase in this step. If outflow is less than 1000 CMS, trapping this equation can be prepared by different mathematical methods
efficiency is suitable for coarse grains which have diameters more or optimization procedure. For determination of sediment grain
than 0.5 mm and are harmful for the hydropower plant as they size curve, it makes used of available data, sampling from bed load
would wear sectors of hydropower plant that contact with water 15. and suspended load. Table 3 shows the different characteristics
Step 3: If discharge of arrival flow is more than 1000 CMS, trapping of GSTARS.3 model.
efficiency will reduce from the necessary minimum trapping
efficiency for coarse grains. These particles arrive at turbines and
they would wear parts that contact with water. In the situation, it
becomes necessary that entrance ways of hydropower plant are
Table 3. The characteristics of GSTARS.3.
blocked and turbines are stopped. In this step, radial gates of
Characteristics of GSTARS3 model (Y=Ability, N= Disability)
spillways are opened completely. Reservoir is at erosion phase. Unsteady flow/Stepped hydrograph N/Y
For determination of sedimentation periods and erosion periods, One dimensional/quasi two dimensional Y/Y
the daily discharges and observed flood hydrographs are Two dimensional/depth-average flow N/Y
Deformable bed/banks Y/Y
considered. These data are available in hydrometric station of Graded sediment load Y
Dez-Telezang for a period of 48 years. For simulation of variation Non-uniform grid Y
of reservoir in operation period, sedimentation phase and flushing Variable time stepping Y
phase are simulated. Reservoir characteristics at the end of a phase Standard step method Y
Finite difference Y
are initial conditions of reservoir for another phase. In this study, Finite element N
104 sedimentation periods and 104 flushing periods are considered. Upstream water and sediment hydrographs Y
Based on hydraulic conditions of the river, the date, duration and Downstream stage specification Y
Flood plain sedimentation N
the number of flushing periods change from year to year. In 48 Suspended/total sediment transport N/Y
years, 2 to 3 times flushing was accomplished in each year on Bed load transport Y
average. The mean of flushing duration is 4.4 days. The maximum Cohesive sediments Y
number of flushing is 6 times in a year. On the other hand, there Bed armoring Y
Hydraulic sorting of substrate material Y
was no flushing for 6 years. Fluvial erosion of stream banks Y
Bank mass failure under gravity N
Selection of mathematical model: For studying of hydropower Straight/irregular non-prismatic reaches Y/Y
Branched/ looped channel network N/N
plant in successive Dez stream dams and mathematical simulation Channel beds Y
of sedimentation and flushing, GSTARS.3 model was selected. Meandering belts N
The theories of GSTAR.3 model is stream tube theory and theory Rivers Y
of minimum power of flow. This model makes used of energy Bridge crossings N
Reservoirs Y
equation and momentum equation for determination of water Model documentation Y
surface elevation. Also, this model considers sediment grain size, User guide/hot-line support Y/N

984 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010
Geometric and hydrologic characteristics of the Dez River: For Qsr = 0.028Qw2.21 Qw ≤ 505CMS (1)
determination of cross sections of the Dez River, topographic
map of the Dez River was used. The scale of this map is 1:12,000.
Qsr = 0.04Qw2.19 Qw ≥ 505CMS (2)
The natural regime of the Dez River is determined by discharge
data of the Telezang station for 48 years. By construction and
starting of exploitation from reservoir of the Bakteary dam, the where Qsr is the total sediment load of the Dez River in regulated
natural regime of the Dez River will vary. The reservoir of the condition (tons/day) and Qw is the discharge of the Dez River in
Bakteary dam will control and save floods of the Bakteary River. regulated condition (CMS).
By simulation to daily operation of hydropower plant of the Dez
dam, outflow from dam is calculated. Outflow from the dam shows Sediment grain size in the Dez River: A few samples of suspended
the effects of the Bakteary dam and its hydropower on variation sediment load were prepared in the Telezang station. Sediment
of the natural regime of the river. For determination of discharge concentration and sediment grain size were determined by these
of the Dez River in regulated condition, the natural discharge of samples, but very few samples were concern to flood conditions.
the Bakteary River is eliminated and the outflow from the reservoir There were no samples of bed sediment load, therefore, sediment
of the Bakteary dam is replaced. The calculated discharge is grain size was determined by classification test of deposited
regulated discharge of the Dez River and this discharge arrives at sediment grain size in reservoir of the Dez dam. There were 337
reservoir of the Dez 1 dam. The simulation model determines the samples of deposited sediment prepared from different parts of
outflow from reservoir of the Dez 1 dam based on operation of its the reservoir in 2004. These samples were obtained by weighted
hydropower plant. This outflow arrives at reservoir of the Dez 2 sampler in 103 different points of the reservoir. The depth of the
dam and outflow from reservoir of the Dez 2 dam is inflow of sampling was from surface of the deposited sediment to 8 m below
reservoir of the Dez 3 dam. this surface (8 m).
The deposited sediment of the reservoir of the Dez dam was
Sediment discharge of the Dez River: The hydrometric stations classified in two types: 1) coarse sediment grain that deposited in
of the Dez watershed have not measured the bed load data. Because the delta of reservoir and 2) fine sediment grain that deposited
of lack of skilled employees and suitable sampling tools, suspended in the reservoir. The results of hydrography test in 2002
load data of these stations is not correct. They cannot show distinguished that 30% of the deposited sediment is coarse
sediment concentration in different hydraulic conditions, sediment grain. The sediment grain size was determined by
especially on the flood condition. For determination of sediment combination of coarse sediment grain size and fine sediment grain
discharge-discharge relation, suspended sediment load data of size. Among them, 30% of the sediment is coarse sediment grain
Telezang station is used. Then this relation was modified based and 70% of the sediment is fine sediment grain. This curve was
on total volume of sediment that deposited in the reservoir of the named range curve.
Dez dam from construction time of the dam. Also, bed load was
considered 15% of total sediment load based on results of Results
hydrography test. The total sediment load of the Dez River was Based on operation strategy of hydropower plant of the Dez dam,
predicted by deposited sediment data in the reservoir of the Dez if inflow discharge to reservoir of the Dez 1 dam is more than 1000
dam accurately (the total sediment load of the Dez River entrances CMS, flushing will occur. Flushing will stop when arrival discharge
the reservoir of the Dez dam). Volume of its reservoir was determined reduces to 800 CMS. Flushing occurs in the reservoir of the Dez 2
by hydrography in 1972 and 2002. The total of deposited sediment dam and the Dez 3 dam contemporary to flushing in the reservoir
in the reservoir of the Dez dam was estimated at 617 MCM from of the Dez 1 dam. The mathematical model calculates the total
1962 to 2002. Avout 88% of sediment arriving at reservoir of the volume of reservoirs of hydropower plants of the Dez River in the
Dez dam passes from Telezang station. Based on the above data end of successive periods of flushing and sedimentation. The
and efficiency of trapped sediment of the reservoir of the Dez results of mathematical model are shown in Fig. 5.
dam, the annual total sediment load is estimated at 18.2 million Part 1 of Fig. 5 shows results of mathematical model in
tons in the Telezang station. In this calculation, density of sediment hydropower plant of the Dez 1 dam at simulation period.
of the Dez River was estimated at 1100 kg/m3 14. After construction Mathematical model shows that volume of the reservoir of the
of the Bakteary dam, the sediment discharge of the Dez River will Dez 1 dam decreases very rapidly at the first years of operation of
decrease considerably. Because of inaccuracy of sediment hydropower plant. If sediment surface elevation is lower than
discharge-water discharge relations, application of sediment bottom elevation of ogee spillway, this situation will continue.
discharge-discharge relations of the Dez River and Bakteary River After this stage, a large amount of deposited sediment stands in
contemporarily is not suitable for calculation of daily sediment effective radius of flushing. Flushing swaps this sediment from
discharge in the regulated conditions of the Dez River because the reservoir. In this stage, sedimentation has stable state in
these relations shows that sediment load of the Dez River is reservoir. Retrieval volume of reservoir is a function of power of
negative for almost 50% of the days of the year. A part of the error flushing, but variation of this volume is negligible, because state
is of concern to the inaccuracy of discharge data in Tang pang- of reservoir is stable. In this stage, the volume of reservoir is 6 to
Bakteary station. About 63% of sediment load of the Dez River 8 MCM (43 to 57% of primary volume of reservoir). By flushing,
(11.4 million tons/year) is supplied by the sediment of the Bakteary the results of hydro energy study show that reservoirs of
River. Based on the above, sediment discharge-water discharge hydropower plants of the Dez River can regulate daily discharge
relations after construction of the Bakteary Dam are estimated by and produce necessary energy for the peak hours of consumption.
the following forms:

Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010 985
Total reservoir volume Total reservoir volume Total reservoir volume Total reservoir volume
14 period of the Dez River. For this purpose, a normal
5- Dez River sediment characteristics
12 period (from 1978 to 1988) was replaced by a drought
Fine fraction of sediment composition has been increased in comparison
with actual sediment gradation
10 period (from 1957 to 1967) and a new time series of
Total reservoir volume
8 discharges was produced. Results of simulation model
(MCM)

6 and variation of the volume of reservoir of hydropower

4 plant of the Dez 1 dam is shown in Part 2 of Fig. 5 for
4- Dez River sediment characteristics
14 Coarse fraction of sediment composition has been increased in comparison new time series of discharges. The number of floods
12 with actual sediment gradation and its discharge and the number of flushing decreases
10 Total reservoir volume in drought period. As a result, the retrieve beneficial
8 storage of reservoir decreases, but decreasing of
(MCM)

6 beneficial storage of reservoir is relatively negligible

4
3- Dez River sediment regime
and the total of volume of the reservoir is more than 6
14
Sediment load has been increased in comparison with actual condition MCM. Another effective factor on the results of the
12 in Telazang gauging station records
10 Total reservoir volume
simulation model is the sediment discharge-water
8
discharge relation. Accuracy of this relation is low
because the sediment sampling and its record is very
(MCM)

6
4 complex. Although floods bring a major part of sediment
14 2- Dez River discharge regime to reservoir, flushing is accomplished when floods
A rather wet period has been replaced with a dry period in Telazang
12 gauging station records arrive at the reservoir. Flushing prevents sedimentation
10 Total reservoir volume in the reservoir. Nevertheless, if sediment increases in
8 the Dez River, retrieve beneficial storage of the
reservoir will decrease. For evaluation of this subject,
(MCM)

6
4 the total of sediment concentration increases 20%. The
12000 results of simulation model are shown in Part 3 of Fig.
12 1- Actual Dez River discharge regime 5 for this state. This figure shows that decrease of Fluvial water volume (MCM)
10000
volume of the reservoir is negligible when sediment
Total reservoir volume

10
Total reservoir volume 8000
8
concentration increases 20%.
6000 Beneficial storage of hydropower plant can regulate
6
daily discharge of the Dez River for this state. By
4000
(MCM)

4 attention to lack of bed load samples and inaccuracy

Flushing events
2 2000 of suspended load samples in the Dez River, sediment
0 0 grain size is determined by deposited sediment grain
(1955-2003) simulated period size in the reservoir of the Dez dam. In this study, variation
Figure 5. Variation of total volume of reservoir in operation period of hydropower of results of the mathematical model was evaluated
plant of the Dez dam. by variation of sediment grain size.
For evaluation of this subject, two situations were
Because of shortage of sediment data in the Dez River and lack considered: 1) sediment grain size was coarser than the range
of similar flushing projects in Iran, validation of results of curve and 2) sediment grain size was finer than the range curve.
mathematical model is not possible, but results of similar flushing About 30% of sediment was coarse sediment of the delta part and
projects in the world suggest the accuracy of results of this 70% of sediment was fine sediment of the reservoir in the range
project 15, 18, 19. It is recommended that physical flushing model curve. The two states were considered: 1) 40% of sediment was
must be constructed for validation of results of mathematical model. coarse sediment and 2) 20% of sediment was fine sediment. Results
of the two states are shown in Part 4 and 5 of Fig. 5.
Discussion If sediment grain size is finer than the range curve, efficiency of
An important effective factor on results of mathematical models is flushing will increase. If sediment grain size is coarser than the
hydrologic conditions. Because of inaccuracy of mathematical range curve, efficiency of flushing will decrease, but this variation
models of sediment dynamics, if the range of variation of data is is negligible.
not large, it is not possible to determine the variation of sediment
value in a reservoir, but determination of trend of this variation is Conclusions
possible. It is assumed that hydrologic conditions of flushing Flushing can bring about the necessary useful volume for
and sedimentation are similar to hydrologic conditions from the regulation of daily discharge in the Dez River and Sezar River.
past 48 years. Wet period, draught period and discharge of river Regulation of daily discharge can bring about the necessary
are dependent on climatic conditions. Climatic conditions may energy for the peak hours in successive hydropower plants of the
vary in the future. For example, drought period may increase. In Dez River. Sensitivity analysis shows that the results of the
this case, the number of flushing actions decreases and sediment mathematical model are reliable for simulation of long-term
cannot flush from the reservoir and beneficial storage of the operation of the reservoirs. Also, the results of mathematical model
reservoir decreases. For evaluation of effects of variation of are reliable for different hydrological conditions. Also, the best
hydrologic conditions and increasing drought periods, method for flushing is pressure flushing in the designed and
sedimentation and flushing was simulated in a critical drought constructed dams on the Dez River.

986 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010
 Sensitive analysis showed that variation of discharge of flow,
sediment discharge and grain size of sediment are effective on the
variation of useful storage of reservoir in the short term but they
are not effective on variation of useful storage of the reservoir in
the long term.

References
1
Salas, J. D. and Shin, H. S. 1999. Uncertainty analysis of reservoir
sedimentation. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE 125(4):339-
350.
2
Fan, J. and Morris, G. L. 1992. Reservoir sedimentation. I: Delta and
density current deposits. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE
118(3):354-369.
3
Fan, J. and Morris, G. L. 1992. Reservoir sedimentation. II: Reservoir
desiltation and long-term storage capacity. Journal of Hydraulic
Engineering, ASCE 118(3):370-384.
4
Chaudhuri, D. 2006. Life of Maithon reservoir on ground of
sedimentation: Case study in India. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering,
ASCE 132(9):875-880.
5
Wu, B., Wang, G. and Xia, J. 2007. Case study: Delayed sedimentation
response to inflow and operations at Sanmenxia Dam. Journal of
Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE 133(5):482-494.
6
White, R. 2000. Flushing of Sediments from Reservoirs. International
Committee on Large Dams. World Register of Large Dams, HR
Wallingford, UK.
7
Hemphill, R. G. 1931. Silting and life of Southwestern reservoirs.
Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers 95:1060-1074.
8
Qian, N. 1982. Reservoir sedimentation and slope stability; Technical
and environmental effects. Fourteenth International Congress on Large
Dams, Transactions, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 3-7 May 3:639-690.
9
Atkinson, E. 1996. The feasibility of flushing sediment from the reservoir.
Report OD 137. (Invited speaker) World Bank, Washington D.C. 99p.
10
Dez Watershed Resource Management Plan 1973. Development and
resources corporation. New York, Sacramento, Tehran.
11
Updating of Existing Erosion Maps – Dez Dam Rehabilitation Project
2005. Acres International Limited, Dezab Consulting Engineer, Ahvaz.
12
Dealing with Reservoir Sedimentation 1999. International Committee
on Large Dams Bulletin 115.
13
Sedimentation Control of Reservoirs 1989. International Committee
on Large Dams Bulletin 67.
14
Reservoir Operation Review and Sediment Study - Dez Dam
Rehabilitation Project 2005. Acres International Limited, Dezab
Consulting Engineer, Ahvaz.
15
Trandafir, T. A., Florescu, X., Prundeanu, C. and Ionescu, D. 1997.
Silting phenomena of gated dams reservoirs within hydroelectric
developments in Romania. Nineteenth International Congress on Large
Dam, ICOLD, Q.74 R.27, Florence, Italy.
16
Yang, C. T. and Simdes, F. J. M. 2003. User’s manual for GSTARS3
(Generalized Sediment Transport model for Alluvial River Simulation
version 3.0). Technical Service Center, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation.
Denver, Colorado.
17
Yang, C. T. 2006. Erosion and Sedimentation Manual. Technical Service
Center, U. S. Bureau of Reclamation. Denver, Colorado.
18
Holubová, K. and Lukac, M. 1997. Silting process in the system of
reservoirs in Slovakia. Nineteenth International Congress on Large
Dam, ICOLD, Q.74 R.34, Florence, Italy.
19
Schwarz, W. R. and Shresta, S. R. 1999. Sediment handling facilities for
the Middle Marsyangdi Hydroelectric Project. Proceedings of 1st
International Conference on Silting Problems in Hydropower Plants,
New Delhi.

Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.8 (2), April 2010 987

View publication stats