By-passing sediments

Introduction

Figure 1: Sediment pass-by tunnel with two different locations of the intake: a) intake located at the reservoir head, b) intake located inside the reservoir. Longitudinal sections (top) and plain views (bottom) are provided (Hauer et al. 2018) (click to expand).

Dams act as a barrier for sediment transport in river systems. Sediments-laden inflows bring sediments from upstream catchment that will be trapped when reaching the reservoir. Sediments deposit in the bottom of the reservoir and reduce its storage capacity. In geographical areas with very high sediment concentration, reservoirs can be filled after some years, rendering useless the infrastructure. Consequently, sediments are not transported downstream the dam, resulting in sediment starvation in the downstream river. Lack of sediments can induce severe morphological and ecological impacts.

Sediment by-passing is a measure which aims at routing bed-load and part of the suspended sediment load through or around the reservoir (Morris et al. 1998). The objective is to maintain the storage capacity of the reservoir in addition to insure sediment continuity in the river and avoid morphological and ecological impacts (Hauer et al. 2018).

Sediment by-pass consists in diverting bed-load and part of the suspended load around the reservoir to prevent them for entering the reservoir. The sediment-laden inflows are diverted through a tunnel at the entrance of the reservoir and conveyed in the river downstream the dam. A weir or a guide wall located at the upstream head of the reservoir re-directs the water to the tunnel during period of high flow and high sediments loads, and allows water entering the reservoir during period with low sediment loads. Alternatively, the intake structure can be located inside the reservoir, leading to some deposition in the upstream part of the reservoir.

An alternative to bypass sediments through a tunnel is in transporting them with trucks or boats. Accumulated sediments are excavated from the reservoir, bypassed around the reservoir via trucks or boats and transported downstream.

Methods, tools, and devices

During planning

The design of bypass tunnels depends on catchment characteristics like topography, geology, hydrology and reservoirs shape and size. (Tiger et al. 2011, Hauer et al. 2018). They function well in small reservoir with steep sides as the gradient of the diversion channel need to be sufficient to insure the transport of sediments. Bypass tunnels is a measure that do not interfere with hydropower operations since it does not require a drawdown of the reservoir. In addition, it induces less impacts on the downstream ecosystems than flushing or sluicing. However, bypass structures are not well adapted to flood control reservoirs as they undercut the main role of these reservoirs (Kondolf et al. 2014).

During implementation

Construction of bypass structures (canals or tunnels) have relatively high investments costs. They should be built at the time of reservoir construction to minimize technical efforts.

During operation

The main challenge of bypass tunnels is abrasion. Entrance of sediments degrades the inlets of the tunnels and can induce deep abrasion of the material. High strength concrete is recommended for the construction of the tunnels.

Classification Table

Classification	Selection (multiple)
Fish species measure designed for	All
Does the measure require loss of power production?	Operational (requires flow release outside turbine)
Recurrence of maintenance	irregular at events
Which life-stage of fish is measure aimed at?	All
Which physical parameter mitigated?	Substrate and hyporheic zone
Hydropower type the measure is suitable for	Plant in dam
Dam height [m] the measure is suitable for	>10 meter
Section in the regulated system measure is designed for	Downstream outlet
River type implemented	Steep gradient (> 0.4 %)
Level of certainty in effect	Very certain
Technology readiness level	TRL 9	actual system proven in operational environment