Author(s): Richard Kattelmann
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Abstract: Water resources in the Sierra Nevada are managed with a complex network of storage, diversion, an d conveyance facilities. The hundreds of dams throughout the range have greatly altered sediment transport. Com pilation of sedimentation records from reservoir surveys suggests that sedim ent yie lds from most catchments in the mountain range are generally less than 100 m～3 km～ (-2) yr～ (-1) (0.2 AF m i～ (-2) yr～ (-1)). Although larger dams seem to have sufficient space to accumulate sediment for centuries, some smaller reservoirs have lost much of their capacity in just a few years or even in a single storm. Operation of these smaller structures has required removal of the accumulated sediment at major expense. Several options for coping with sediment problem s in small reservoirs are being explored. Erosion contro l as part of a comprehensive watershed management strategy may limit the sediment supply in the long term. Redesign of structures to allow sediments to pass through the dams during high flows may offer the best hope for both operations and the stream system
Year: 1997