Die Bodenkultur - Journal for Land Management, Food and Environment

W. W. Saenyi:

Temporal and Spatial Sediment Modelling in Masinga Reservoir, Kenya

Summary

Sedimentation in Masinga reservoir is becoming a serious problem faced by Kenya electricity generating company. A study was therefore carried out on Masinga reservoir between 1999 and 2002. The objective was to model the sedimentation process in the reservoir in both temporal and spatial spectrum. Modelling was accomplished using GSTARS 2.1 numerical model. Processing and visualisation of measured and simulated results was done using a two-dimensional BOSS SMS computer-based model to generate 2-D depth contour maps. It was found that most deposition occurred along the thalweg, along the main channel, at the mouth of the reservoir, at the confluence of the two arms, and near the dam wall. The model predicted little deposition on the reservoir terraces. Key words: Modelling, sedimentation process, spatial sediment distribution, GSTARS 2.1, Masinga reservoir, simulations.