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Abstract.

Reservoir sedimentation is a major environmental issue, and various sediment load controls and plans have been proposed to secure clear and safe water resources. This study estimated upland sediment loads delivered to an agricultural reservoir and predicted the spatial distributions of sediment deposition in the reservoir using watershed (SWAT) and receiving water (EFDC) models, respectively. Then, this study developed sediment management scenarios and evaluated their effectiveness. The scenarios included contour tillage, mulching, vegetation cover, and detention pond for sediment and runoff source controls. The watershed modeling results showed that the sediment controls could decrease 25% of the current sediment loads even though the controls were applied to relatively small portion (3%) of the upstream areas of the reservoir. The receiving water modeling demonstrated that sediment particles transported to the reservoir were mostly trapped at the vicinity of the reservoir inlet and then moved toward the bank over time. The modeling also estimated 412 tons of sediment are deposited in the reservoir annually, and the sediment controls could decrease 30% of the current sediment deposition. The modeling results are expected to provide planning guidance that can be incorporated into existing watershed-scale sediment control and management plans.