A review of sedimentation rates in freshwater reservoirs: recent changes and causative factors

Abstract Sediment deposition in water reservoirs has major implications for storage capacity, reservoir lifetime, and quality. Changes rainfall patterns land use will consequently alter the rate of erosion therefore have a direct effect on sedimentation rates. This literature review employed systematic mapping approach to collate describe evidence contemporary trends impounded natural lakes with emphasis studies which analysed impacts capacity. Fourteen determined an overall increase rate, 13 identified recent decline another 5 reported mixed results. Interestingly, 83.3% articles that studied found sedimentation, while 54.5% indicated declines sediment deposition. Land change was main causative factor responsible followed by combined effects activities climate change. Soil management strategies, implemented upstream some reservoirs, proved be effective mitigating remediating sedimentation. From 147 papers preselected, only 33 contain sufficient data infer about 45% these reporting quantities capacity loss caused Across studies, assessments associated are compromised limited spatiotemporal resolution current measurement methods, reinforcing requirement develop new, more robust techniques monitor changes.