Annually, due to erosion in rivers’ basins which will be intensified during flash floods, a huge amount of sediment is transported with the river flow. The accumulated sediment is quite fertile and sediment transport greatly contributes to agriculture in the downstream area. Although sediment transport is very vital for agriculture, it has caused serious problems for the dam reservoirs. A huge amount of sediment enters dam reservoirs each year and results in the dam storage capacity decrease. It costs too much each year for sedimentation control and sediment removal. Due to the mentioned problems, the Regional Centre on Urban Water Management (RCUWM) decided to hold a workshop on “Reservoir Dams Sedimentation Control” in cooperation with the Ministry of Energy, Minitry of Agriculture, Forests, Ranges and Watershed Management Organization, Water Research Institute, Iranian Company of Water Resources Management. It was aimed to train Iranian and foreigen experts from Sudan, Turkey, Pakistan and Iran by inviting keynote speakers from the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD), International Research and Training Centre on Erosion and Sedimentation- China, International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation- Holland.

Objectives

As the most important objectives of this workshop, the below notes can be referred:

  • Getting familiar with the different methods of precise assessment of sediment inflow and calculation of its volume on the basis of proper data and information as well as methods of sedimentation study in reservoirs in the studying and design phases;
  • Getting familiar with the different methods sediment control and watershed management in the upstream area of the dams in order to reduce sediment inflow and consequently extend the economical life of dams;
  • To familiarize participants with structural and non-structural activities to control sediment;
  • To familiarize participants with sediment removal;
  • To provide the participants on opportunities to share their ideas and view-points.