Abstract
Low-head dams can be built in ephemeral streambeds to trap sediments
which can store water or serve as sand reserves for other uses. For sand
dams to provide sustainable and dependable water supplies, or to provide
valuable sand for other purposes, these reservoirs should primarily fill
with coarse sand rather than fine sediments. The problem of sand dams
being negatively impacted by an excess of fine sediments is a widespread
issue. In Kenya, 40-60 percent of sand dams are reported to be affected
by this problem, which can limit their ability to recharge and provide
recoverable water. We describe a novel approach to preventing collection
of fine sediments by geomorphic management of reservoir sedimentation.
Specifically, we suggest building dams with “Eiffel Tower” shaped
outlets (broad at the base and narrowing with height) to remain open
until the reservoir is sediment filled. The opening is designed to
provide constant Rouse number of 2.5 for 0.125 mm grains so that
regardless of flow, only sand of size greater than 0.125 mm will
accumulate. Considering the limitations of 1-dimensional simulations in
capturing edge effects, a stage discharge relationship acquired through
HEC-RAS simulation is utilized to correct the opening. Numerical
modeling confirmed that these outlets maintain constant bed shear
stress, and thus promote the deposition of uniform coarse sediments
within the reservoir regardless of riverine flow rate. The findings of
the HEC-RAS simulation demonstrate that bottom-notch openings,
especially those of the “Eiffel Tower” shape, exhibit superior
performance with an MSE value of less than 1% when determining the
deviation between the desired Rouse number (2.5) and the calculated
Rouse number.