Reservoir Capacity Estimation Using Remote Sensing for Bansagar Dam, Madhya Pradesh, India

Reservoir sedimentation caused due to excessive siltation is of immense concern worldwide. It adversely diminishes the capacity for irrigation, power generation, flood moderation, drinking water supply, etc. Regular appraisal of sedimentation rate is desirable for assessing useful life of the reservoir as well as for maintaining optimum reservoir operation schedule. Conventional hydrographic surveys are though more reliable, yet are expensive and time consuming and subsequently, the remote sensing techniques have gained significance. In the present study, remote sensing-based sedimentation study of Bansagar reservoir, a multipurpose river valley project, Madhya Pradesh, India was conducted. Multi-date Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) data covering the water spreads at 1-2 m interval of reservoir levels were analyzed using trapezoidal formula. It is observed that the satellite data inferred reservoir water spread area matched closely with hydrographic survey between and close to Minimum Drawdown Level (MDDL) and Full Reservoir Level (FRL) levels. However, for reservoir water levels much below MDDL, difference between the two techniques were apparent. The remote sensing-based capacity estimate (3449 MCM) showed marginally higher value than original survey (3418.78 MCM), which may be attributed to difference in two approaches.