Abstract

Reservoir sediment deposition poses a challenge to sustainable water supplies around the world. Sediment management has proven to be an expensive endeavor. Two models have been developed to guide economic analysis for reservoir sediment management, namely the Reservoir Sediment Economics Model (RSEM) and the Reservoir Conservation Model 2 (RESCON 2). While these are helpful tools for benefit-cost prefeasibility studies, they rely heavily on sometimes elusive estimations of the benefits of water supply. In this study, a new method for economic analysis is proposed that foregoes benefit-cost analysis in favor of a cost-effectiveness approach. The Sediment Management Cost-Effectiveness Model ranks sediment management plans based on the cost required to delay the point when reservoir yield is exceeded by demand. A case study for the model was conducted for three federally owned reservoirs in Kansas: Kanopolis, Tuttle Creek, and Perry. The analysis suggested that hydrosuction would provide the most cost effective solution for sediment management at Tuttle Creek. For Kanopolis and Perry, hydraulic dredging performed best as long as sediment was discharged downstream. The Cost-Effectiveness Model is recommended as an early step in sediment management planning.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering; Civil and Environmental Engineering

Rights

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