Sediments threaten the efficency of dams
© 2023 EPFL
The construction of a dam substantially modifies the flow conditions of a river or stream in and downstream of the associated reservoir. Due to the natural input of fine sediments and bedload, every reservoir is inevitably subject to sedimentation, thus filling-up its water storage volume.
Based on an interview with Giovanni De Cesare, operational head of the Hydraulic Constructions Platform, who has been studying the subject for almost 30 years, the article published in the newspaper "Le Temps" reviews this phenomenon, the sources of the problem, and possible solutions, some of which are still being investigated and others already applied.