Coupling between flow and sediment deposition in rectangular shallow reservoirs

Flow velocity and sedimentation patterns were investigated experimentally and numerically in shallow rectangular reservoirs with different asymmetric locations of the inlet and outlet channels. Velocity fields were measured in the entire reservoir, both for clear water flow and with suspended sediments. Thickness of sediment deposits was mapped in the whole reservoir by means of a laser light method. In one of the studied geometric configurations, injection of suspended sediments led to a complete change in the observed flow field. Experimental results were compared with numerical simulations performed with the depth-averaged flow model WOLF 2D, using a depth-averaged k–ε turbulence model. The simulations lead to accurate predictions of the velocity profiles and the change in flow pattern as a result of sediment deposits was successfully reproduced.