Advancement of the Pivot Point of Underwater Delta: A Study of Tarbela Reservoir, Haripur, Pakistan
Keywords:
Underwater delta, Pivot point, Main Embankment Dam, sedimentation, Tarbela dam, sediment management, dredging, hydro suction.Abstract
Tarbela dam, with the main functions of hydropower (3,750 MW installed capacity) and irrigation, is
being threatened by the menace of sedimentation. The underwater delta is advancing at a rapid pace towards
the main embankment dam, being at 5.25 miles from Main Embankment Dam (MED) in 2012. This study is
aimed at monitoring Tarbela reservoir's underwater delta pivot point advancement and its forecast mapping.
Secondary data regarding pivot point elevation and its distance from the MED was obtained from the
reservoir's library. Base map of delta direction was obtained from the surveying department at Tarbela dam.
The data was processed in Arc GIS and Microsoft Excel to perform meaningful analysis. The study concludes
that the average sediments deposited in the reservoir for the period of 1980-2012 were 0.1 MAF. Delta pivot
point was at a distance of 5.45 miles from the MED in 2012 and according to our study, it will be only at a
distance of 0.45 miles from MED in 2032. The In order to enhance the efficiency and life of Tarbela dam, this
study suggests that immediate sediment management, either active or passive methods e.g. dredging, hydro
suction and flushing must be adopted.
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