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 on the inlet and outlet channels. Velocity fields were measured in the entire reservoir, both for clear water flow and with suspended sediment. 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 lead 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-eps turbulence model. The simulation lead to accurate predictions of the velocity profiles and the change in flow pattern as a result of sediment deposit was successfully reproduced.