An encroachment on hydro

By 2020 more than on in five of India's reservoirs will have lost 50 per cent of their storage capacity to sedimentation. This growing problem and its implications for reservoir and hydroelectric power plant management are considered. The particular factors responsible for soil erosion from and Indian perspective are outlined. Assessment, monitoring and control of siltation in the reservoir and in the generating stream, hydraulic design, mechanical design and materials technology considerations are discussed. Main conclusions from the first international conference on silting problems in hydro plants (New Delhi, October 1999) are summarised.