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Continuous Seasonal and Large-Scale Periglacial Reservoir Sedimentation

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Ehrbar

    (Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Lukas Schmocker

    (Swiss Competence Center for Energy Research (SCCER–SoE), ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Michael Doering

    (ZHAW Life Sciences and Facility Management, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences, 8820 Waedenswil, Switzerland)

  • Marco Cortesi

    (Repower, 7240 Kueblis, Switzerland
    Former employee of Alpiq, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland.)

  • Gérald Bourban

    (HYDRO Exploitation, 1950 Sion, Switzerland)

  • Robert M. Boes

    (Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • David F. Vetsch

    (Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland)

Abstract

Sustainable reservoir use is globally threatened by sedimentation. It has been generally recognized that inadequate consideration of reservoir sedimentation has caused the worldwide decline of net storage. Numerical models are useful tools to simulate sedimentation processes and can be used to derive efficient counter-measures and sediment management strategies. They can be applied to both existing and potential future reservoirs to predict long-term sedimentation. In this study, an application of a simple, robust, and stable numerical 1D model to Gebidem reservoir in Switzerland accompanied by field measurements is presented. It focusses on seasonal and large-scale reservoir sedimentation processes that occur continuously throughout the whole deposition season, while episodic events like turbidity currents are not taken into account. The model simulates both the delta formation of coarse sediments and the lake-wide sedimentation from homopycnal flows. The model is used to assess the effects and significance of varying boundary conditions like inflow, suspended sediment concentration, particle size distribution (PSD), or reservoir operation. It will be demonstrated that future reservoir operation and PSD are as important as future runoff evolution. Based on these findings, implications on future reservoir operation, also considering climate change, are discussed. Finally, an outlook on pending research topics is given.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Ehrbar & Lukas Schmocker & Michael Doering & Marco Cortesi & Gérald Bourban & Robert M. Boes & David F. Vetsch, 2018. "Continuous Seasonal and Large-Scale Periglacial Reservoir Sedimentation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3265-:d:169451
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Daniel Ehrbar & Lukas Schmocker & David F. Vetsch & Robert M. Boes, 2018. "Hydropower Potential in the Periglacial Environment of Switzerland under Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Matthias Huss & Regine Hock, 2018. "Global-scale hydrological response to future glacier mass loss," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(2), pages 135-140, February.
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