Problem of sedimentation leading to reduction in storage capacities is being faced to a varying degree by almost all reservoirs worldwide. Pandoh dam, a 76.2 m high diversion dam has live and dead storage capacity of 1, 855 hectare meter and 2, 245 hectare meter respectively. It is located on the Beas River, a tributary of the Indus system. Annual sediment inflow in the reservoir of Pandoh dam envisaged during design stage was 409 hectare meter. Pandoh dam diverts water into a 13.1 km long and 7.6 m diameter Pandoh Baggi tunnel, which forms part of the water conductor system of 990 MW Beas Satluj Link Project. Drawdown flushing operation of sediments from the reservoir during monsoon season was started in 1986, nine years after its commissioning. Suspended sediments entering in the water conductor system are flushed out through a silt ejector provided at the end of the Pandoh Baggi tunnel. Live and dead storage capacities of the balancing reservoir are 370 hectare meter and 111 hectare meter respectively. Sediments which settle in the balancing reservoir are removed by mechanical dredging. This paper shares the experiences of sustainable sediment management techniques for maintaining the required live storage capacity of Pandoh Reservoir such that minimum amount of sediments find entry into the Pandoh Baggi Tunnel and through turbines of the power plant.
