Statistical modelling of suspended sediment load in small basin located in the tropical Andes of Colombia

Abstract:

Sedimentation is a complex process that varies with watershed characteristics, climate dynamics, human watershed intervention, etc. The sediment load is a concern as it reduces the operating capacity of reservoirs. In this study a statistical modelling for the estimation of sediment yield based on observations of water discharge and suspended sediment concentration was performed. A multivariate model was used to analyze a 33 years period of daily suspended sediments load available at the La Garrucha gauging station. A regional analysis was conducted to develop a non-dimensional sediment load duration curves. These duration curves were used to estimate flow and sediments regimen at other inner point at the basin where there are located the Calderas reservoir, scaling the suspended sediment load by the basin area. The observed data of sediments in the reservoir were used to validate the model results. The obtained non-dimensional sediment load duration curve was used to estimate the sediment concentration during high flow regimen (10% of time the values were met or exceeded).A periodical reservoir flushing, by the opening of the bottom gate, it is necessary to maintain it at the best operating capacity. The sediment concentration during high flows has been assumed as a concentration that allows an ‘environmental flushing’. The sediment transport capacity for the sediment load was verified with a 1D model in order to include the environmental constraints downstream of the dam. Field data were collected to understand the physical phenomena involved in flushing dynamics into the reservoir and downstream of the dam. The model allows to define an operation rules for the flushing to minimize the environmental effects.