In this study a recent dam type, concrete face rockfill dam (CFRD), its design and behaviour is overviewed. The design features of G&ouml / k&ccedil / eler Dam are introduced as a case study. Selection of concrete face rockfill type for G&ouml / k&ccedil / eler Dam Project is discussed together with the other two alternatives, namely earth core rockfill (ECRD) and roller compacted concrete (RCC) dam. G&ouml / k&ccedil / eler Dam type selection as concrete face rockfill dam is also verified by an economic analysis conducted calculating internal rate of return for all alternative types. In cost analysis a currency independent defined unit cost (DUC) is specified to verify the time independent validity of the economic analysis.

Visų Lietuvoje esančių ežerų valymo darbai, sapropelio kuopimas atliekamas mechaniniu bei hidrauliniu būdais. Pastarasis sapropelio gavybos bei ežero išvalymo būdas paplitęs plačiausiai, nes gamybinės organizacijos dažniausiai naudoja technologiją, kai sapropelis pumpuojamas į specialiai tam paruoštus sėsdintuvus. Sapropelio gavyba bei ežero išvalymas atliekamas žemsiurbės pagalba. Tyrimų tikslas - parinkti geriausią žemsiurbę užpelkėjantiems ežerams valyti. Darbe pateikiama metodika, leidžianti tinkamiausią žemsiurbę išsirinkti pagal penkis kriterijus. Vertintos rusiškos, baltarusiškos, vakarietiškos taip pat anksčiau Lietuvoje naudotos žemsiurbės. Žemsiurbės vertintos daugiakriterinės analizės ELECTRE ir MAUT metodais. Daugiakriterinė analizė atlikta panaudojant programines įrangas HYPSE ir DAM. Už konsultacijas, rengiant, magistrantūros studijų baigiamąjį darbą reiškiu padėką: Doc. dr. A. Ciūniui, lekt. E. Laurinavičiui ir prof. habil. dr. L. Katkevičiui. / The cleaning works of all Lithuanian lakes, excavation of sapropel are carried out either by mechanical or hydraulic means. The latter is the common means of sapropel extraction and lake cleaning. Industrial organizations usually apply technologies so that sapropel is pumped to specially prepared sedimentation tanks. The cleaning of a lake and extraction of sapropel is carried out by the means of a dredger. The aim of the research is to choose the best dredger for the cleaning of swampy lakes. The work discusses methods which allow choosing the best dredger according to five criteria. Russian, Byelorussian, western dredgers and dredgers used in Lithuania earlier have been evaluated following the multi-criteria ELECTRE and MAUT methods. Multi-criteria analysis was carried out using HYPSE and DAM software.

O início da construção de estruturas para reserva de água no mundo é conhecido há milhares de anos, e, desde então, as barragens são consideradas alternativas viáveis não apenas para reserva de água para consumo, mas também para as finalidades de geração de energia hidrelétrica, contenção de rejeitos, entre outras. Entretanto, mesmo com os contínuos avanços nas técnicas construtivas e na fiscalização da segurança destas estruturas, a possibilidade de rompimento de barragens é uma realidade constante. Nesta perspectiva, o presente texto objetiva analisar os aspectos hidráulicos de metodologias simplificadas para estimativa de parâmetros de inundação proveniente do rompimento de barragens, a saber, as vazões e respectivas profundidades atingidas no vale a jusante, em um evento de rompimento hipotético. Para tal, analisaram-se os resultados de três metodologias simplificadas existentes, aplicadas em três barragens estudo de caso, com características estruturais e geometria do vale a jusante distintas. Os resultados das metodologias simplificadas foram comparados com os estudos de Dam Break das três barragens estudo de caso, obtidos com o uso do software HEC-RAS unidimensional e cedidos por empreendedores. O presente texto também sugere uma nova equação empírica para previsão da vazão máxima resultante do rompimento de barragens por galgamento, e propõe uma nova metodologia simplificada para análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens, com base nos métodos analisados e nas respectivas conclusões obtidas. Os resultados indicam que o uso de metodologias simplificadas na análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens é uma alternativa viável em vales cuja declividade do talvegue é acentuada e cujas características geométricas são aproximadamente constantes. Identificou-se que pequenas alterações no coeficiente de rugosidade do terreno e na declividade da linha de energia refletiram em diferenças nos resultados de profundidades e larguras máximas de 20%, em média. A proposta de nova equação empírica para previsão de vazão máxima na seção da barragem baseou-se na análise de 39 casos reais envolvendo ruptura de barragens por galgamento e resultou em um coeficiente de determinação (R²) de 0,79. Quando comparada com as principais equações semelhantes indicadas na bibliografia, a equação proposta obteve vazões máximas próximas ou superiores às dos demais pesquisadores analisados sempre que a altura da barragem foi inferior a 30 m. Evidencia-se a importância na estimativa cautelosa da vazão máxima na seção da barragem, uma vez que essa reflete em diferenças significativas nas vazões e respectivas profundidades alcançadas ao longo do vale a jusante da estrutura. Nos casos analisados, diferentes vazões máximas na seção da barragem refletiram em distinções de até 50%, em média, nas profundidades e larguras máximas a jusante. A nova metodologia proposta para definição de características de inundação provenientes do rompimento de barragens pode contribuir em estudos preliminares para tal, especialmente aos empreendedores que possuem número expressivo de barragens. Nesses casos, a metodologia poderá nortear a prioridade a ser dada em estudos detalhados de Dam Break. / For thousands of years, water reservoir structures have been built worldwide. Since then, dams have been considered viable alternatives not only for reserving water for consumption but also for the purposes of hydroelectric power generation and sediment retention, among others. Despite the continuous advances in the construction techniques and in the safety inspection of these structures, the possibility of breaking of dams remains a constant reality. Hence, this paper aims to analyze the hydraulic aspects of simplified methodologies for estimating flood parameters on dam ruptures, namely, the flows and respective depths reached in the downstream valley in a hypothetical breach event. Results of three existing simplified methodologies were studied applied in three dams with different structural characteristics and downstream valley geometry. The results of simplified methodologies were compared with dam break studies of three study case dams, obtained with one-dimensional HEC-RAS and provided by entrepreneurs. The present paper suggests also a new empirical equation for predicting the maximum flow resulting from the overtopping dam failure and proposes a new simplified methodology for preliminary analysis of dam rupture, based on the analyzed methods and respective obtained conclusions. The results indicate that the use of simplified methodologies in the preliminary dam break analysis is a viable alternative in valleys with high thalweg declivities and close to constant geometric characteristics. It was identified that small changes in the coefficient of rough terrain and in the energy line slope reflected in differences in the results of depths and maximum widths of 20%, on average. The proposed new empirical equation for maximum flow prediction in the dam section was based on the analysis of 39 actual cases involving overtopping dam failure and resulted in a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.79. When compared to similar main equations indicated in the bibliography, the proposed equation obtained maximum flows near or higher than those of other researchers analyzed whenever the height of the dam did not exceed 30 m. The importance of a cautious estimation of the maximum flow rate in the dam section is to be highlighted, since it results in significant variations of flow and respective depths along the valley and downstream of the structure. Different maximum flows were found in the dam section, which reflected in distinctions of up to 50%, in average, in the maximum depths and widths downstream. The new proposed methodology for defining dam break characteristics caused by dam rupture may contribute to preliminary studies, especially to entrepreneurs who own a significant number of dams. In these cases, the methodology may guide the priority to be given in detailed studies of dam break.

O início da construção de estruturas para reserva de água no mundo é conhecido há milhares de anos, e, desde então, as barragens são consideradas alternativas viáveis não apenas para reserva de água para consumo, mas também para as finalidades de geração de energia hidrelétrica, contenção de rejeitos, entre outras. Entretanto, mesmo com os contínuos avanços nas técnicas construtivas e na fiscalização da segurança destas estruturas, a possibilidade de rompimento de barragens é uma realidade constante. Nesta perspectiva, o presente texto objetiva analisar os aspectos hidráulicos de metodologias simplificadas para estimativa de parâmetros de inundação proveniente do rompimento de barragens, a saber, as vazões e respectivas profundidades atingidas no vale a jusante, em um evento de rompimento hipotético. Para tal, analisaram-se os resultados de três metodologias simplificadas existentes, aplicadas em três barragens estudo de caso, com características estruturais e geometria do vale a jusante distintas. Os resultados das metodologias simplificadas foram comparados com os estudos de Dam Break das três barragens estudo de caso, obtidos com o uso do software HEC-RAS unidimensional e cedidos por empreendedores. O presente texto também sugere uma nova equação empírica para previsão da vazão máxima resultante do rompimento de barragens por galgamento, e propõe uma nova metodologia simplificada para análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens, com base nos métodos analisados e nas respectivas conclusões obtidas. Os resultados indicam que o uso de metodologias simplificadas na análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens é uma alternativa viável em vales cuja declividade do talvegue é acentuada e cujas características geométricas são aproximadamente constantes. Identificou-se que pequenas alterações no coeficiente de rugosidade do terreno e na declividade da linha de energia refletiram em diferenças nos resultados de profundidades e larguras máximas de 20%, em média. A proposta de nova equação empírica para previsão de vazão máxima na seção da barragem baseou-se na análise de 39 casos reais envolvendo ruptura de barragens por galgamento e resultou em um coeficiente de determinação (R²) de 0,79. Quando comparada com as principais equações semelhantes indicadas na bibliografia, a equação proposta obteve vazões máximas próximas ou superiores às dos demais pesquisadores analisados sempre que a altura da barragem foi inferior a 30 m. Evidencia-se a importância na estimativa cautelosa da vazão máxima na seção da barragem, uma vez que essa reflete em diferenças significativas nas vazões e respectivas profundidades alcançadas ao longo do vale a jusante da estrutura. Nos casos analisados, diferentes vazões máximas na seção da barragem refletiram em distinções de até 50%, em média, nas profundidades e larguras máximas a jusante. A nova metodologia proposta para definição de características de inundação provenientes do rompimento de barragens pode contribuir em estudos preliminares para tal, especialmente aos empreendedores que possuem número expressivo de barragens. Nesses casos, a metodologia poderá nortear a prioridade a ser dada em estudos detalhados de Dam Break. / For thousands of years, water reservoir structures have been built worldwide. Since then, dams have been considered viable alternatives not only for reserving water for consumption but also for the purposes of hydroelectric power generation and sediment retention, among others. Despite the continuous advances in the construction techniques and in the safety inspection of these structures, the possibility of breaking of dams remains a constant reality. Hence, this paper aims to analyze the hydraulic aspects of simplified methodologies for estimating flood parameters on dam ruptures, namely, the flows and respective depths reached in the downstream valley in a hypothetical breach event. Results of three existing simplified methodologies were studied applied in three dams with different structural characteristics and downstream valley geometry. The results of simplified methodologies were compared with dam break studies of three study case dams, obtained with one-dimensional HEC-RAS and provided by entrepreneurs. The present paper suggests also a new empirical equation for predicting the maximum flow resulting from the overtopping dam failure and proposes a new simplified methodology for preliminary analysis of dam rupture, based on the analyzed methods and respective obtained conclusions. The results indicate that the use of simplified methodologies in the preliminary dam break analysis is a viable alternative in valleys with high thalweg declivities and close to constant geometric characteristics. It was identified that small changes in the coefficient of rough terrain and in the energy line slope reflected in differences in the results of depths and maximum widths of 20%, on average. The proposed new empirical equation for maximum flow prediction in the dam section was based on the analysis of 39 actual cases involving overtopping dam failure and resulted in a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.79. When compared to similar main equations indicated in the bibliography, the proposed equation obtained maximum flows near or higher than those of other researchers analyzed whenever the height of the dam did not exceed 30 m. The importance of a cautious estimation of the maximum flow rate in the dam section is to be highlighted, since it results in significant variations of flow and respective depths along the valley and downstream of the structure. Different maximum flows were found in the dam section, which reflected in distinctions of up to 50%, in average, in the maximum depths and widths downstream. The new proposed methodology for defining dam break characteristics caused by dam rupture may contribute to preliminary studies, especially to entrepreneurs who own a significant number of dams. In these cases, the methodology may guide the priority to be given in detailed studies of dam break.

M.Sc. / The Merriespruit Tailings dam disaster killed seventeen (17) people and covered a part of Virginia with approximately 2.5 million cubic metres of tailings, causing such an emotional uproar that all resources were focused on repairing the dam and addressing some of the social issues. Little attention was given to the environment. The identified need in this study was therefore to investigate the consequences of the disaster on the environment, a need which derives from the uniqueness of this particular disaster and its consequences. The Department of Minerals and Energy require the submission of an Environmental Management Program Report (EMPR) on all prospecting and mining operations. It is clear that, in the compilation of such an EMPR, Harmony Gold Mine neglected to establish a Management Plan to regulate the physical impact of the disaster on the environment, mainly because no attention was given to disasters in the Aide-Memoir. A Management Plan was established by adapting existing formats of management plans to the uniqueness of this disaster. By following the procedure stipulated in the Management Plan it can be ensured that Environmental Management requirements will be effectively integrated into either the project management actions and contracts or operational systems and processes for the following issues: • Water management • Storm water control • Waste management • Dust • Aesthetics and socio-economic implications • Rehabilitation of the area. The investigation showed that the disaster exerted a definite negative influence on the environment, which can be managed by taking preventative measures stipulated in the Management Plan. However, one of the main issues identified in this study is that storm water management has been problematic for a period of time. It is therefore noted that some attention should be given to establishing a wetland system to contain the storm water runoff. Although this study does not focus on the socio-economic impacts in detail, it is recommended that these impacts are considered as it is evidently problematic. The primary aim of this study was to compile an EMP in order to manage, and possibly mitigate, the physical impact of the disaster on the immediate environment, an aim which clearly was accomplished. Harmony Gold Mine can benefit from the compilation of this EMT, as management goals were set and feasible means of achieving them were specified.

The main purpose of this study is to determine the difference in water quality of the rivers between the Katse and Vaal Dams (Wilge River and Vaal Dam reservoir sub-catchments) after the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project. These rivers include the Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers. The temporal changes in water constituents, namely: electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, ammonia, calcium, manganese and chlorophyll a, at selected water sampling points were analysed to clarify if Katse Dam water has had any impact on the water quality of the Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers and the Vaal Dam. The water quality was studied over an eleven-year period from November 1994 until December 2005. This includes a five-year period prior to, and a six-year period following the completion of the Katse Dam. The Ash, Liebenbergsvlei and Wilge Rivers fall within the Wilge sub-catchment, and the Vaal Dam falls within the Vaal Dam reservoir sub-catchment. Both the aforementioned sub-catchments form part of the Vaal River catchment. Physical, chemical and microbiological sampling results were obtained from Rand Water. The results were compared with the in-stream water quality guidelines as set by the Vaal Barrage Catchment Executive Committee. The results of the selected constituents were depicted visually in the form of graphs. Trends in the constituents over the period were then determined. The graphs were divided into two sections namely, pre-Katse Dam (before 1999) and post-Katse Dam (1999 to 2005). Differences in water quality before and after the construction of the Katse Dam were determined from sampling and chemical analysis at six locations, and hence evaluations were made whether the release of Katse Dam water has had a significant effect on the water quality results in the Vaal River System. The water quality results with respect to the different water constituents illustrated a distinct change in water quality over the period. Northwards, towards the Vaal Dam, the difference in water quality became less apparent. Sampling points throughout the study area experienced decreases in: electrical conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, ammonia, and manganese. Hence, the release of Katse Dam water into the Vaal River system has had a ii positive influence on the water quality and thus changed the riverine environments in the Vaal River system. The high quality water from the Katse Dam that enters the Vaal River system thus initially increases the quality of the water in the recipient system with a lesser effect downstream. The result is an improvement of water quality in the upper reaches of the Vaal River system and no significant influence on the Vaal Dam itself. However, the change in water quality may have a detrimental effect on the river environment as a result of the increased volume of water entering the system and the resultant soil erosion, which serves for further studies. Consequently, the advantageous high quality water from the Lesotho Highlands is not being optimally utilised, hence the proposed recommendation by Rand Water to alternatively transfer Katse Dam water via a gravity-fed pipeline to the Vaal Dam thereby receiving the full benefit of high quality water, leaving river environments unaltered and possibly lowering purification costs. / Prof. J. T. Harmse Prof. H. J. Annegarn

A represa das Antas e represa Bortolan fazem parte da Sub-Bacia Hidrográfica do Ribeirão das Antas, sendo que a primeira sofre impacto de uma mineradora de urânio (UTM/INB), uma vez que recebe despejos de efluentes radioativos tratados procedentes de DAM, já a represa Bortolan recebe maior influência da malha urbana de Poços de Caldas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a diversidade da comunidade zooplanctônica, bem como realizar a caracterização física e química da UTM/INB e represas das Antas e Bortolan. Diferenças em relação às condições físicas, químicas e a comunidade foram verificadas entre os ambientes. Na UTM/INB as condições químicas da água apresentaram-se não favoráveis ao desenvolvimento do zooplâncton. A represa das Antas apresentou condições ambientais intermediárias entre a UTM/INB e represa Bortolan, devido provavelmente ao lançamento de efluentes em condições inadequadas pela UTM/INB. Na represa Bortolan as concentrações de nutrientes e clorofila a explicaram a maior densidade e, portanto, a maior diversidade das espécies zooplanctônicas. / The Antas and Bortolan Dams are part of the Ribeirão das Antas Hydrographical Sub-Basin, being that the Antas Dam suffers impact from a uranium mining (UTM/INB), once it receives discharges of treated radioactive effluents derived from DAM, while Bortolan Dam suffers greater influence from the urban area of Poços de Caldas. The objective of the current study was to analyze the zooplanktonic community\'s diversity, as well as to perform the physical and chemical characterizations of UTM/INB and Antas and Bortolan Dams. Differences related to the physical and chemical conditions and the community were verified among the environments. In UTM/INB, the water\'s chemical conditions were not favorable to zooplankton development. The Antas Dam presented intermediate environmental conditions between UTM/INB and Bortolan Dam, probably due to the release of effluents in inadequate conditions, done by UTM/INB. In Bortolan Dam, the concentrations of nutrients and chlorophyll a have justified the higher density and thus, the greater diversity of zooplanktonic species.

O início da construção de estruturas para reserva de água no mundo é conhecido há milhares de anos, e, desde então, as barragens são consideradas alternativas viáveis não apenas para reserva de água para consumo, mas também para as finalidades de geração de energia hidrelétrica, contenção de rejeitos, entre outras. Entretanto, mesmo com os contínuos avanços nas técnicas construtivas e na fiscalização da segurança destas estruturas, a possibilidade de rompimento de barragens é uma realidade constante. Nesta perspectiva, o presente texto objetiva analisar os aspectos hidráulicos de metodologias simplificadas para estimativa de parâmetros de inundação proveniente do rompimento de barragens, a saber, as vazões e respectivas profundidades atingidas no vale a jusante, em um evento de rompimento hipotético. Para tal, analisaram-se os resultados de três metodologias simplificadas existentes, aplicadas em três barragens estudo de caso, com características estruturais e geometria do vale a jusante distintas. Os resultados das metodologias simplificadas foram comparados com os estudos de Dam Break das três barragens estudo de caso, obtidos com o uso do software HEC-RAS unidimensional e cedidos por empreendedores. O presente texto também sugere uma nova equação empírica para previsão da vazão máxima resultante do rompimento de barragens por galgamento, e propõe uma nova metodologia simplificada para análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens, com base nos métodos analisados e nas respectivas conclusões obtidas. Os resultados indicam que o uso de metodologias simplificadas na análise preliminar de rompimento de barragens é uma alternativa viável em vales cuja declividade do talvegue é acentuada e cujas características geométricas são aproximadamente constantes. Identificou-se que pequenas alterações no coeficiente de rugosidade do terreno e na declividade da linha de energia refletiram em diferenças nos resultados de profundidades e larguras máximas de 20%, em média. A proposta de nova equação empírica para previsão de vazão máxima na seção da barragem baseou-se na análise de 39 casos reais envolvendo ruptura de barragens por galgamento e resultou em um coeficiente de determinação (R²) de 0,79. Quando comparada com as principais equações semelhantes indicadas na bibliografia, a equação proposta obteve vazões máximas próximas ou superiores às dos demais pesquisadores analisados sempre que a altura da barragem foi inferior a 30 m. Evidencia-se a importância na estimativa cautelosa da vazão máxima na seção da barragem, uma vez que essa reflete em diferenças significativas nas vazões e respectivas profundidades alcançadas ao longo do vale a jusante da estrutura. Nos casos analisados, diferentes vazões máximas na seção da barragem refletiram em distinções de até 50%, em média, nas profundidades e larguras máximas a jusante. A nova metodologia proposta para definição de características de inundação provenientes do rompimento de barragens pode contribuir em estudos preliminares para tal, especialmente aos empreendedores que possuem número expressivo de barragens. Nesses casos, a metodologia poderá nortear a prioridade a ser dada em estudos detalhados de Dam Break. / For thousands of years, water reservoir structures have been built worldwide. Since then, dams have been considered viable alternatives not only for reserving water for consumption but also for the purposes of hydroelectric power generation and sediment retention, among others. Despite the continuous advances in the construction techniques and in the safety inspection of these structures, the possibility of breaking of dams remains a constant reality. Hence, this paper aims to analyze the hydraulic aspects of simplified methodologies for estimating flood parameters on dam ruptures, namely, the flows and respective depths reached in the downstream valley in a hypothetical breach event. Results of three existing simplified methodologies were studied applied in three dams with different structural characteristics and downstream valley geometry. The results of simplified methodologies were compared with dam break studies of three study case dams, obtained with one-dimensional HEC-RAS and provided by entrepreneurs. The present paper suggests also a new empirical equation for predicting the maximum flow resulting from the overtopping dam failure and proposes a new simplified methodology for preliminary analysis of dam rupture, based on the analyzed methods and respective obtained conclusions. The results indicate that the use of simplified methodologies in the preliminary dam break analysis is a viable alternative in valleys with high thalweg declivities and close to constant geometric characteristics. It was identified that small changes in the coefficient of rough terrain and in the energy line slope reflected in differences in the results of depths and maximum widths of 20%, on average. The proposed new empirical equation for maximum flow prediction in the dam section was based on the analysis of 39 actual cases involving overtopping dam failure and resulted in a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.79. When compared to similar main equations indicated in the bibliography, the proposed equation obtained maximum flows near or higher than those of other researchers analyzed whenever the height of the dam did not exceed 30 m. The importance of a cautious estimation of the maximum flow rate in the dam section is to be highlighted, since it results in significant variations of flow and respective depths along the valley and downstream of the structure. Different maximum flows were found in the dam section, which reflected in distinctions of up to 50%, in average, in the maximum depths and widths downstream. The new proposed methodology for defining dam break characteristics caused by dam rupture may contribute to preliminary studies, especially to entrepreneurs who own a significant number of dams. In these cases, the methodology may guide the priority to be given in detailed studies of dam break.

This research project focuses on decision-making about large hydropower dams, particularly the process and outcomes of impact assessment, involving state, corporations, and local Indigenous communities. The objective of the study is to investigate whether state-led impact assessment, as one tool of regulatory decision-making, can be a way to address environmental justice concerns for Indigenous peoples affected by natural resource infrastructure. The core of this research is a case study comparison between the Belo Monte dam (Brazil) and Site C dam (Canada) to examine the effectiveness of environmental impact assessment (EIA) and decision-making. I analyse these processes’ ability to address the inequities caused by disparate adverse effects of dams on Indigenous peoples. Despite evidence of the impacts of large dams on Indigenous peoples, there is limited literature on their experiences with large hydropower projects and their decision-making processes, and mechanisms that would account for Indigenous peoples’ experiences. This research aims to fill in that gap in the literature by exposing the limitations of impact assessment and proposing recommendations for environmental decision-making to address Indigenous peoples’ concerns and experiences. I start with a review of the development of the environmental justice (EJ) literature as the research’s analytical framework. Environmental justice focuses on diagnosing the inequities caused to localized communities under the argument of a necessary ‘smaller evil,’ so that the larger society may benefit from natural resources development. However, the research participants’ experiences pointed to the need to revise the EJ framework towards a more integral approach to environmental decision-making, recognising the fundamental relationship between land and human beings. This research project concludes that EJ for Indigenous peoples helps reinstate decision-making purposes – evaluating the impacts, proposing alternatives to projects, promoting transparency and accountability, and considering the possibility of rejecting projects – when done within a genuine government-to-government collaborative framework between state and Indigenous governments. / Graduate

The October 2007 removal of Marmot Dam, a 14.3-m-tall dam on the Sandy River in northwestern Oregon storing approximately 730,000 m3 of impounded sediment, provided an opportunity to study short- and long-term geomorphic effects of dam removal. Monitoring reservoir morphology during the two years following dam decommissioning yields a timeline of reservoir channel change. Comparison of a pre-dam survey in 1911 with post-removal surveys provides a basis from which to gage the Reservoir Reach evolution in the context of pre-dam conditions. Analyses of time-lapse photography, topographic surveys, and repeat LiDAR data sets provide detailed spatial and temporal documentation of a release of sediment from the reservoir following dam removal. The majority of morphologic changes to the reservoir largely took place during the first few days and weeks following removal. Channel incision and widening, along with gradient changes through the Reservoir Reach, exhibit diminishing changes with time. Channel incision rates of up to 13 m/hr and widening rates of up to 26 m/hr occurred within the first 24 hours following breaching of the coffer dam. Although channel position through the Reservoir Reach has remained relatively stable due to valley confinement, its width increased substantially. The channel reached an average width of 45 m within two weeks of breaching, but then erosion rates slowed and the channel width reached about 70 to 80 m after one and two years, respectively. Diminishing volumes of evacuated sediment were measured over time through quantitative analysis of survey datasets. About 15 percent of the initial impounded sediment was eroded from the Reservoir Reach within 60 hours of breaching; after one and two years, 50 and 58 percent was eroded, respectively. Grain-size analysis of terraces cut into reservoir fill following dam removal show that bed material coarsened over time at fixed elevations and vertically downward as the channel incised. Overall, these findings indicate valley morphology and local in-channel bedrock topography controlled the spatial distribution of sediment within the reservoir reach while variability in river discharge determined the timing of episodic sediment release. Changes within the Reservoir Reach shortly after dam removal and subsequent evolution over the two years following removal are likely attributable to 1) the timing and intensity of flow events, 2) the longitudinal and stratigraphic spatial variations in deposit grain-size distributions initially and over time, and 3) the pre-dam topography and existing valley morphology.