Reservoir sedimentation in Colombia: Overview and case analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24850/j-tyca-2026-01-01Keywords:
Sedimentation, management strategies, RESCON 2, ColombiaAbstract
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current reservoir sedimentation landscape in Colombia and documents the solutions implemented to date. It analyzes, using the World Bank's Reservoir Conservation 2 (RESCON 2 Beta) model, the technical effectiveness of several sedimentation management strategies at the pre-feasibility level in the Porce II hydroelectric project reservoir. This reservoir is one of the critical cases, located in northwestern Colombia, and presents an average capacity loss of 2.09 Mm³/year. The results indicate that, if no action were taken, the most critical scenario (3.36 Mm³/year) would result in loss of useful or active volume after just over 40 years of operation. After 105 years, the total storage volume would be lost. In contrast, by taking action and applying the transfer technique (by-pass), and assuming quasi-sedimentological equilibrium between inflow and discharge downstream of the dam, the useful life of the reservoir could be extended. It is concluded that reservoirs in Colombia are a finite resource that must be managed with special care to guarantee the nation's energy security.
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