Reservoir Sedimentation and Dam Removal
Free webinar:
What's Mud Got to Do with it?
Our June 2023 free webinar, held in partnership with the Australian Water School, addresses reservoir sedimentation and dam removal. This page provides background resources to support the webinar contents. View the recording here:
The webinar features case studies presented by Stanford Gibson, sediment specialist with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Marty Teal, President of WEST Consultants. Click here for additional details on the presenters and panellists, pdf files of the presentation slides and a Q&A transcript for technical questions addressed during the webinar.
The case studies rely on sediment transport modelling; the fundamental principles of sediment transport modelling, including impacts of dams, were addressed in a previous webinar by Stanford and Marty. View the recording here:
Reservoir sedimentation assessments also rely heavily on the principles of fluvial geomorphology which have been addressed in additional Australian Water School webinars. Grady Hillhouse, founder of the Practical Engineering YouTube channel, joined us for our previous webinar on geomorphology and highlighted how stream tables can be used to explain sediment dynamics in rivers. Watch the videos below for an overview of the relevant principles that also explain why dams collect sediment. And for more background on Grady’s career and how he went from engineer to full-time YouTuber, check out his interview on the Full Momentum vodcast:
Fluvial geomorphology 101: free webinar and course preview
River restoration webinar featuring stream tables with Grady Hillhouse
Rivers on Mars and other uses for hydraulic models by Grady Hillhouse
Why rivers move: overview of sediment dynamics by Grady Hillhouse
Why engineers can’t control rivers: impacts of structures by Grady Hillhouse
Interview with Grady Hillhouse on the Full Momentum vodcast
For more stream table videos, including demonstrations of how rivers react to obstructions like dams, check out the physical models developed by our geomorphology course instructors in collaboration with Southern Cross University, Hydrobiology, and Water Technology.
River Mechanics Podcast
Subscribe to Stanford Gibson’s River Mechanics podcast for discussions with renowned experts in sediment transport:
Training Course:
Sediment transport modelling
If you are interested in modelling reservoir sedimentation or other sediment transport applications using free software, sign up for the AWS on-demand course “Sediment Transport with HEC-RAS“. The course includes three 2-hour sessions with exercises hosted by our presenter, Marty Teal. View the sessions and step through the assigned workshops at your own pace; all supporting materials are provided.
Use coupon code “hydroschool-10” at checkout to receive a 10% discount on all on-demand training courses
Further details on the presenters and course contents are available on the AWS registration page.
Training Course:
Fluvial geomorphology Essentials
Reservoir sedimentation requires an understanding of river mechanics and fluvial geomorphology. For a fantastic introduction to geomorphology hosted by industry experts, register for the on-demand AWS Fluvial Geomorphology Essentials training course. The course includes three 2-hour sessions hosted by experienced geomorphologists. View the free introductory webinar “Geomorphology 101” then sign up for the course to view the sessions and work through the assigned exercises at your own pace; all supporting materials are provided.
Use coupon code “hydroschool-10” at checkout to receive a 10% discount on all on-demand training courses
Session 1
Fluvial Geomorphology Fundamentals – Led by Mick Cheetham
- Complex response and equilibrium
- Physical model visualisations
Session 2
Interpreting Hydraulic/Hydrologic Model Results for Geomorphic Analysis – Led by Ben Pearson
- Types of models
- Use of hydraulic models in geomorphology
Session 3
Geomorphology, Crossings and Infrastructure – Led by Julian Martin and Andy Markham
- Crossing types and examples
- Materials and techniques
- Case studies – bridge stability and adjacent infrastructure – including short virtual field trip
Free Webinars and Tutorials
Following are additional free tutorial videos, AWS webinars, and other content with relevance to reservoir sedimentation, dam removal, and geomorphology:
Time lapse video of Fall Creek Reservoir drawdown flush (from Stanford Gibson’s YouTube channel)
Modelling reservoir sedimentation with HEC-RAS Part 1 (from Defense Video Information Distribution Service)
Modelling reservoir sedimentation with HEC-RAS Part 2 (from Stanford Gibson’s YouTube channel)
Overview of sediment transport functions in HEC-RAS
How landscapes change with the failure of natural dams
What palaeoflood hydrology can tell us about river dynamics in extreme events
Reservoir sedimentation rates vary tremendously with bushfire/wildfire conditions
Assessing impacts of dam removal requires scour estimation
How river systems react to dam removal. Article: Dammed if you don’t
Protecting downstream infrastructure following dam removal requires an understanding of incipient motion
Rock sizing methodologies were developed in response to dam construction and breaching
View case studies demonstrating 2D and 3D sediment transport modelling
Webinar background resources
Following are reference materials and resources mentioned during the Reservoir Sedimentation webinar:
HEC-RAS Modelling of Drawdown Flush by Stanford Gibson and James Crain:
Lake Clarke and Lake Aldred Sediment Transport Modeling co-authored by Stanford Gibson:
Monitoring, Measuring, and Modeling Reservoir Flush by Stanford Gibson and Paul Boyd:
Lake Clarke and Lake Aldred Sediment Transport Modeling by Stanford Gibson and Paul Boyd:
Reservoir system modeling for Lower Susquehanna River:
Lake Clarke and Lake Aldred Sediment Transport Modeling:
USSD Modeling Sediment Movement in Reservoirs:
ICOLD bulletins on reservoir sedimentation (See #140, 182, 193)
Goldsborough Creek Dam Removal by Krey Price, ASDSO 2001:
Matilija Dam Removal by Krey Price, ASDSO 2001:
Reverse Engineering: Environmental Aspects of West Coast Dam Removal Projects by Krey Price and Merri Martz, ASCE 2001:
Elwha Dam Removal: Living Laboratory article by the Revelator:
San Clemente Dam Removal: Modelling Studies to Design and Assess Decommissioning Actions by Krey Price, Mike Harvey, and Bob Mussetter, ANCOLD 2010:
Construction for Destruction: Downriver Modifications required for Decommissioning by Aric Torreyson, Krey Price, and Bob Hall, ANCOLD 2011:
Dam Removal Documentaries
Condit Dam removal documentary
Marmot Dam removal documentary
Iron Gate dam removal documentary
Removal of Elwha River dams: documentary
