How Many Years to Fill with Sediment, a Sediment Study of Lake Powell on the Colorado River

by Errol G. Jensen, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Waterpower '89

Abstract:

A study to determine the current capacity and to update information on the life expectancy of Lake Powell was conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation. The study documented the present storage-elevation relationship and loss of storage from sediment accumulation that has occurred from 1963 through 1986. Sonar equipment was used to record continuous readings of bottom depth at 409 cross-section locations. This data was then compared to cross sections taken from the original contour maps that were prepared prior to inundation in 1963 making it possible to calculate the amount and location of sediment deposited into the lake since 1963. New area capacity tables were tabulated for use in the operation of Lake Powell and the Colorado River Storage Project System.

Subject Headings: Lakes | Sediment | Water storage | Rivers and streams | Reservoirs | Project management | Floods | Colorado River

Services: Buy this book/Buy this article

 

Return to search