Sedimentation Processes and Useful Life of Mosul Dam Reservoir, Iraq

The sedimentation process is the most important problems that affects directly the performance of reservoirs due to the reduction of the storage capacity and possible problems effecting the operation. Thus periodic assessment of the storage capacity and determining sediment deposition patterns is an important issue for operation and management of the reservoirs. In this study, bathymetric survey results and an analytical approach had been used to assess the characteristics of sedimentation and estimate the useful life of Mosul Reservoir. It is located on the Tigris River in the north of Iraq. The water surface area of its reservoir is 380 km2 with a designed storage capacity of 11.11 km3 at a maximum operating level (330 m a.s.l). The dam started operating in 1986. No detailed study was yet carried out to assess its reservoir. The present study indicated that the annual reduction rate in the dead and live storage capacities of the reservoir is 0.786% and 0.276% respectively. The observed results (bathymetric survey) and algebraic formula show approximately that the useful life of Mosul dam reservoir is about 125 years. Furthermore, the stage-storage capacity curves for the future periods (prediction curves) were established using bathymetric survey data.

Field testing innovative differential geospatial and photogrammetric monitoring technologiesin mountainous terrain near Ashcroft,British Columbia,Canada

This paper presents a novel approach to continuously monitor very slow-moving translational landslides in mountainous terrain using conventional and experimental differential global navigation satellite system(d-GNSS)technologies.A key research question addressed is whether displacement trends captured by a radio-frequency“mobile”d-GNSS network compare with the spatial and temporal patterns in activity indicated by satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR)and unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)photogrammetry.Field testing undertaken at Ripley Landslide,near Ashcroft in south-central British Columbia,Canada,demonstrates the applicability of new geospatial technologies to monitoring ground control points(GCPs)and railway infrastructure on a landslide with small and slow annual displacements(<10 cm/yr).Each technique records increased landslide activity and ground displacement in late winter and early spring.During this interval,river and groundwater levels are at their lowest levels,while ground saturation rapidly increases in response to the thawing of surficial earth materials,and the infiltration of snowmelt and runoff occurs by way of deep-penetrating tension cracks at the head scarp and across the main slide body.Research over the last decade provides vital information for government agencies,national railway companies,and other stakeholders to understand geohazard risk,predict landslide movement,improve the safety,security,and resilience of Canada’s transportation infrastructure;and reduce risks to the economy,environment,natural resources,and public safety.

Hydrological Characterization of Water Resources Used for Sugarcane Production in the Sugar Complexes of Ferkessedougou (North of Côte d’Ivoire)

Water resources, although renewable, are limited and threatened by climate change and anthropic activities. Assessment and forecasting of these resources can provide valuable information for water resource planners. This study aims to quantify the surface water resources used for sugarcane production in sugar complexes of Ferkessedougou. This is based on the morphological characterization of the river Morrison and Lopkoho dams and on extreme daily flow probability of occurrence estimation using frequency analysis method. The bathymetric survey showed that the Morrison Dam impoundment had a maximum depth of 11.98 m;a water capacity of 11,656,735.5 m3. For the Lokpoho dam, the reservoir had a maximum depth of 8.82 m, which corresponds to a water volume of 4,354,531.5 m3. Nevertheless, the water capacity of these reservoirs is greatly reduced by a large volume of sediment estimated at 1,013,058.96 m3 for Morrison and 599,740 m3 for Lokpoho. Statistical analysis of maximum daily flows shows that flows between 73.9 and 100 m3/s have the potential to occur every five years at the Route Korhogo Badikaha hydrometric station. The recurrence of the decennial (298 m3) and quinquenal (248 m3) flows shows the importance of the flood flows of the Bandama River. It also shows that the low water levels of the Bandama are very pronounced. The minimum flow that SUCAF-CI water managers should expect every five years is 1.36 m3/s and the ten-year low flow is 2.10 m3/s. These results are indicators of water scarcity risks and could guide decision making in the Ferkessedougou sugar complexes.