Reservoir sedimentation and deposition mechanism: case study of Mtera dam

Sediment transport in rivers and deposition in reservoirs is a complex and troublesome process causing a major concern in tropical regions of the world. Prediction of the amount of sediment load and deposition in the reservoir has so far been done using different kinds of empirical and theoretical methods. Mtera reservoir being one of the greatest man-made lakes in Tanzania is being used as a case study in which, a number of theoretical formulae for bed load transport are tested. Different empirical methods for sediment load and deposition are also tested. Comparison of bed load method to the reservoir reveals that Meyer-Peter and Schoklitsch methods can be recommended. Empirical formulae of Anderson W.W, Dendy and Bolton, and Hansen-Engelund are recommended for prediction of sediment load in the reservoir. Part of the reservoir is surveyed using an echosounder and results are used to substantiate sediment deposition observed in empirical methods.