The sedimentation (siltation) of hydroelectric power plant reservoirs is a big problem for Alpine rivers. When the reservoir's volume is filled up with sediments the useful volume reduces, while flood hazards increases and hydro-mechanical equipment becomes damaged. The associated costs therefore also are increasing, which reduces the hydroelectric power plant's profitability. Without effective sediment management we cannot provide equal opportunities for exploiting natural resources for our descendants.
In the master thesis, we analyzed the dynamics of sediment transport in the section of the hydroelectric power plant Doblar reservoir. The first part was dedicated to the theoretical background of the production, transport and deposition of sediments. We presented the sedimentation process of the reservoir and the related problems. In the second part, the conditions at the chosen area are described, as well as the hydrological characteristics of the tributaries flowing into the reservoir and the characteristics of the hydropower structures on the Soča river. The reservoir's changing geometry was presented based on the geodetic measurements in different periods. A two-dimensional hydraulic model was made with the newest geometric measurements, in which we observed the changes in the velocity field along the reservoir. With the help of the granularometry of the river bed and the velocity field, calculated in the two-dimensional model, we were estimating whether a chosen sediment fraction is being transported in the chosen part of the Doblar HPP's reservoir. The thesis was concluded with the propositions for further monitoring and managing of sediments in the Doblar HPP's reservoir section.
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