Abstract

An understanding of the quantity of sediment deposited in a reservoir is necessary for effective reservoir and
basin management. Sedimentation affects the useful life of a reservoir as flood control and water supply. The
present study has been carried out to assess sediment load in the wadi Bouhamdane in northeast Algeria to be
able to estimate sedimentation in a reservoir located upstream of the gauging station. Measurement data of
suspended sediment and water discharge were available during 13-year period (1975/76-1987/88) in the Medjez
Amar gauging station. The data were provided by the National Agency of Hydraulic Resources, which carried
out the sampling and initial calculations of concentration. Several data sets, derived from daily mean water
discharges and daily mean suspended sediment discharges were used to develop sediment rating curves for small
periods of time when water sampling was insufficient. Relationships between monthly mean water discharge and
monthly sediment load were used according to single and seasonal ratings. Additionally, a technique was devised
to correct for log-transform bias on the sediment rating curves. Once the water discharge-sediment rating curves
were defined, they were used with water discharge data to predict monthly and annual sediment inflow to the
reservoir. The sediment rating estimates were judged adequate to predict the Bouhamdane reservoir fill. The total
suspended sediment load carried by the wadi Bouhamdane from 1975/76 to 1987/88 was calculated to 3.90 x 106
tonnes and the mean annual sediment yield was 271 T km-2 yr-1. During the reservoir period 1988/89 to
2006/2007 the water discharge-sediment rating curves gave 5.38 x 106 tonnes. In terms of sediment entrapment
in the reservoir by damming, the sedimentation in the reservoir during the 19-year period was predicted to be
6.29x106 m3. This study has estimated a loss of storage in the reservoir due to sedimentation of 0.17% yr-1.

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