Knowledge Bank

Interpreting sediment yields due to environmental change requires synthesis of the available evidence of sedimentation relating to the impact imposed by human activity. Long term accurate records of sediment transport are scarce for most areas of the world. The bulk of sediment input to reservoirs is from periodic storms and accompanying flood activity. Sedimentation in lakes and reservoirs received little systematic attention in the past. Eventually sediment yields decline in response to the introduction of soil conservation measures. Mahmood (1987) has estimated that major reservoirs of the world are currently losing storage capacity at a rate of 1% of gross capacity per year through sedimentation.