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Daily reservoir sedimentation model: Case study from the Fena Valley Reservoir, Guam

June 28, 2017

A model to compute reservoir sedimentation rates at daily timescales is presented. The model uses streamflow and sediment load data from nearby stream gauges to obtain an initial estimate of sediment yield for the reservoir’s watershed; it is then calibrated to the total deposition calculated from repeat bathymetric surveys. Long-term changes to reservoir trapping efficiency are also taken into account. The model was applied to the Fena Valley Reservoir, a water supply reservoir on the island of Guam. This reservoir became operational in 1951 and was recently surveyed in 2014. The model results show that the highest rate of deposition occurred during two typhoons (Typhoon Alice in 1953 and Typhoon Tingting in 2004); each storm decreased reservoir capacity by approximately 2–3% in only a few days. The presented model can be used to evaluate the impact of an extreme event, or it can be coupled with a watershed runoff model to evaluate potential impacts to storage capacity as a result of climate change or other hydrologic modifications.

Publication Year 2017
Title Daily reservoir sedimentation model: Case study from the Fena Valley Reservoir, Guam
DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001344
Authors Mathieu D. Marineau, Scott Wright
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Index ID 70188694
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization California Water Science Center
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