Mechanisms of bedload sediment transport in reservoirs and associated mitigation techniques: A review

Sediment transport in reservoirs, especially bedload movement, has significant implications for reservoir capacity, aquatic habitat integrity, and operational longevity. Sediment accumulation in water bodies leads to environmental problems and decreases reservoir capacity, reducing land productivity and the lifespan of hydraulic structures like dams due to sediment deposition. Several factors govern the initiation and sustained transport of bedload in reservoirs, including flow velocity, water depth, sediment size and density, bed slope, and the presence of cohesive forces. Bedload motion happens when the shear stress from the moving water is greater than the critical shear stress needed to move sediment particles away from the substrate. Reservoir morphology plays a crucial role in shaping the flow patterns and sediment deposition zones. Various techniques are employed to mitigate sedimentation reservoirs, summarized in this review.