Assessment of Reservoir Sedimentation Using Remote Sensing

Satellite Imageries

Kamuju Narasayya1*, U C Roman1, S. Sreekanth1 and Sunneta Jatwa1

1

Central Water and Power Research Station, P.O. Khadakwasla, Pune 411024, INDIA

Abstract
The Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) method for assessment of reservoir sedimentation uses the fact, that the water spread area of
reservoir at various elevations keeps on decreasing due to sedimentation. Remote Sensing technique gives us directly the waterspread area of the reservoir at a particular elevation on the date of pass of the satellite. This helps us to estimate sedimentation
over a period of time. This paper describes assessment of sedimentation carried out for the Srisailam Reservoir using Remote
Sensing satellite imageries. The area capacity curve of year the 1976, when actual impoundment was started, is used as a base
for sedimentation assessment for the year 2004. The results of Remote Sensing survey for the period 2001-04 are compared
with the deposition pattern of Srisailam Reservoir with the standard types of deposition pattern as per Area Reduction Method
suggested by Borland and Miller. The sediment index computed considering total sediment deposition since 1976 to 2004 comes
to around 543.84 t/m2/year which is lower than the rates suggested by Garde & Kothari.
Key words: Satellite Remote Sensing, Images, NDWI, IRS P6, Sediment, Thresholding.

1. Introduction
A reservoir will generally be located towards the end of a
large watershed and receive inflows from major rivers
(Jrgensen 2005). On the other hand, reservoirs have a
shorter residence time but a much larger watershed which
can be more difficult to control (Randolph 2004). Therefore,
capacity surveys are important for proper allocation and
management of water in a reservoir. Knowledge about the
quantum of sediment and its deposition pattern in various
zones of a reservoir is very essential to assess the balance life
of reservoir. In view of this, systematic capacity surveys of a
reservoir should be conducted periodically. Using the
Remote Sensing techniques, it has become very efficient and
convenient to quantify the sedimentation in a reservoir and
to assess its distribution and deposition pattern. Remote
Sensing technology, offering data acquisition over a long
period of time and broad spectral range, can provide synoptic,

2012 AARS, All rights reserved.

* Corresponding author: narasayya03@gmail.com
Fax: 020-24381004

repetitive and timely information regarding the sedimentation

characteristics in a reservoir. Reservoir water spread area for
a particular elevation can be obtained very accurately from
the satellite data. Reduction if any, in the water spread area
for a particular elevation indicates deposition of sediment at
that level. This when integrated over a range of elevations
using multi-date satellite data enables in computing volume
of storage lost due to sedimentation. In this paper satellite
imageries were analysed to assess sedimentation in Srisailam
Reservoir in Andhra Pradesh state of India. Attempts were
made to compare the results with erosion rates suggested by
Garde & Kothiyari.

2. Literature Review
A Geographical Information System (GIS) can be used to
model bathymetry and the spatial distribution of sediments
(Evans et al., 2002; Heimann, 1995). The use of Remote

3.0 METHODOLOGY
The detailed
methodology
explained
in the Imageries
form of flow chart is given blow.
Assessment of Reservoir Sedimentation
Using
Remote Sensing
Satellite
FLOW CHART FOR METHODOLOGY OF SRS TECHNIQUE
Sensing technique to estimate suspended sediment has been
reported by several investigators (Solomonson, 1973;
Bartoluci et al., 1977; Holeyer, 1978; Khoram, 1981). Smith
et al. (1980) determined siltation in the Aswan High Dam
Reservoir by comparing reflectance values in the green and
red portions of the spectrum. Research findings indicate that
siltation during the flood period was largely confined to the
main river channel of the reservoir and large embayments.
Areas of extensive siltation were identified and the amounts
of deposition were determined through ground surveys. This
information was used to predict the distribution of silt
deposits in the reservoir. Rao et al. (1985) used a visual
interpretation technique on large scale imagery of LandsatMSS to estimate the water-spread area at different levels to
evaluate the capacity of the reservoir and concluded that the
results are comparable with hydrographic survey observations
and similar to the curves obtained from the conventional
methods. A digital technique in which density slicing of
Landsat-MSS Near-infrared (NIR) data was performed for
extracting the water-spread area and correlated computed
reservoir capacity based on the surface area obtained using
cone formulae. Goel & Jain (1996) earned out a reservoir
sedimentation study using the density-slicing approach for
The Satellite Remote Sensing (SRS) method for assessment of reservoir sedimentation uses
water-spread area extraction. The status of studies shows that
Thewater
Satellite
Sensingat(SRS)
method
for keeps
assessment
there is lot of scope of the Remote Sensing approach
for that the
the fact,
spreadRemote
area of reservoir
various
elevations
on decreasing due
of reservoir sedimentation uses the fact, that the water spread
sedimentation assessment in the Western Ghats region,
areaThese
of reservoir
at various
keeps
on decreasing
to The
sedimentation.
water spread
areas ofelevations
the reservoir
at different
levels between Full
which has extensive areas that are prone to soil erosion.
due to sedimentation. These water spread areas of the
assessment may be performed on the basis of geomorphic
reservoir at different levels between Full Reservoir Level
analysis and modelling in combination with analysis of
5
(FRL) and Minimum Draw Down
Level (MDDL) in different
recent bathymetry to determine the historical pattern and rate
months of the year could be computed from satellite
of deposition (Gregory L.Morris, Jiahu Fan, December
imageries. Knowing the reservoir levels (as ground truth) on
2010).
date of pass of the satellite, Elevation-Capacity curves could
The shape of the reservoir is defined by the depth to capacity
be established and compared with that at the time of
relationship. The Borland and Miller method, also known as
impoundment of reservoir. Shift in the capacity curve will
the Area-Reduction Method, was developed from resurvey
indicate extent of loss of reservoir capacity.
data of 30 US reservoirs. The Empirical Area-Reduction
4. Study Area: Srisailam Reservoir
Method has been developed with revisions by Lara and
subsequent changes by Pemberton. Rooseboom and
Srisailam Reservoir (Figure 1) subsequently renamed as
Annandale used field survey data for 11 large reservoirs in
Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy Sagar (NSRS) located in
South Africa to compile a semi-empirical graph. Their new
Nandikotkur taluka of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh
technique represents new empirical curves based on variation
State of India is selected for assessment of sedimentation
of wetted-perimeter through the reservoir length for
using Remote Sensing. The Srisailam Dam is located in a
predicting longitudinal sediment distribution pattern in
narrow gorge of Krishna valley with water standing always
reservoirs. Among the scientists who implemented the
for about 16 m depth in the deep course of the river. The
Rooseboom and Annandale method, Michalec and Tarnawski
project is situated about 869 km down stream of the origin of
(2006) studied the possibility of application of this method.
the river Krishna at Mahabaleshwar in the Western Ghats.
They showed that supplementary research works on
The dam up to 252.98 m elevation (above Mean Sea Level)
additional parameters considering the reservoir shape is still
was constructed in 1976, when part impounding of the
required. Also, Mohammadzadeh and Heidarpour introduced
reservoir was commenced. The gates were erected and water
a new empirical method for prediction of sediment
was stored upto FRL from 1984. The FRL and MDDL of
distribution in reservoirs based on original area-capacity and
Srisailam Reservoir are 269.748 m and 243.84 m respectively.
depth-capacity data of reservoirs.
The catchment area of the reservoir is 2,06,030 km2.

3. Methodology

5. Data Used

The detailed methodology explained in the form of flow

chart is given blow.

Topographical Data
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Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.12,No.4 (2012)

Figure 1. Location Map of Srisailam Reservoir.

from near FRL to MDDL. Cloud free imageries below

MDDL were not available, hence the analysis of field data
was restricted to live storage zone only.

The topographical details were taken from Survey of India

(SOI) Toposheet numbers 56 L/8, 56 L/12 and 56 L/16
(Scale: 1:50,000). This data utilized to prepare a base map
prior to start the process with satellite imageries.

The capacity estimation of Srisailam Reservoir using Remote

Sensing technique was carried out for the year 2004 in order
to know deposition of sediment since 1976 in the reservoir.
The area capacity curve of 1976 (Figure 2) is thus taken as
base for present study. The results of the hydrographic survey
(1997) is also compared with present Remote Sensing
survey. The satellite data was obtained from National Remote

Field Data
Maximum, minimum and daily water level data for the
period from 1984 to 2004 were collected from dam site. The
salient features of the reservoir along with original Area
-Elevation-Capacity curve for the year 1976, catchment area
details, land use patterns and maps were also collected from
Irrigation & Command Area Development department of
Andhra Pradesh.
Satellite Data

900

750

2000

Area (M sq.m)
600
450

300

150

8000

10000

12000

280
275

The multi-spectral data from IRS 1C, 1D and IRS P6

Satellites for LISS-III Sensor are available for the cloud free
dates at different selected levels for the year 2001-04 were
used for this study. The Srisailam reservoir water spread was
covered in one scene of Path-100, Row-61 for IRS 1C, 1D
and IRS P6.

270

Elevation (m)

265

6. Analysis of Satellite Imageries

260
255
250

After comparing the availability of cloud free imageries for

different date of pass vis-a-vis water level variation for
different dates collected from the dam site, it was observed
that there were very few imageries for one single water year
during which there was maximum fluctuation in reservoir
water levels. Therefore, the imageries for the period 2001-04
were collected for cloud free dates in order to show variation

245
240
235
4000
6000
Capacity (M cu.m)

Figure 2. Area-Elevation-Capacity Curve for Srisailam

Reservoir for the year 1976.
3

Assessment of Reservoir Sedimentation Using Remote Sensing Satellite Imageries

Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh state

of India. The data was then imported in the Digital Image
processing software EASI/PACE (Engineering Analysis and
Scientific Interface/Picture Analysis Correction and
Enhancement) v7.1. The EASI/PACE software directly reads
the IRS 1C, 1D and IRS P6 raw imageries. On visual analysis,
the pixels representing water-spread area (except at the
periphery) of the reservoir were quite distinct and clear in the
False Color Composite (FCC) image. The reservoir area and
its surroundings (area of interest) were separated out from
the full scenes from all the images. These imageries were
geo-referenced using SOI toposheets. All images were
geometrically corrected and transformed into the standard
cartographic projection and scale so that any measurement
made on the image will be accurate with those made on the
base map and ground. The geometric corrections enable the
images to be represented in their latitudinal and longitudinal
coverage. For geo-referencing, clearly identifiable features
like crossings on Krishna River, sharp bends in the rivers &
drains, bridges etc. were selected as Ground Control Points
(GCPs). Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of less than 0.05
was ensured. As this is the first step in geo-coding, it needs
to be precisely done, as the accuracy of result is totally
dependent on the accuracy of the base map. In present study,
imagery of 16th October 2004 was first geo-referenced, since
this was very sharp, clear, noise free and cloud free and it
was considered as the base imagery. The imageries of other
dates were geo-referenced with this base imagery.

the correctness of range limits by consulting FCC. In most of

the cases, the criterion for thresholding the image could not
give satisfactory results in identifying the correct water
pixels due to shallow depth of water at some of the locations
along the periphery and at the tail portion of the reservoir.
Hence, actual water pixels in these two range masks were
estimated by including thresholding of RED band data and
further applying the condition of reflective property of water
for NIR and RED band. (The reflectivity of water in NIR
band is smaller than RED band and hence the DN values of
NIR band will be smaller than DN values of RED band for
water). The total reservoir water spread area was estimated
by adding the water spread masks under the different range
masks. Accurate delineation of water and land boundary is
achieved by Thresholding Technique and the following
methods were adopted.
Water Index (WI) Method
The water pixels are identified by taking band ratio of Green/
Near Infrared. Since the maximum absorptance of
Electromagnetic Radiation by water is in the Near Infrared
(NIR) spectral region, the DN value of water pixel in NIR
band is appreciably less than the DN values of Green spectral
region, which is having high reflectance value. This ratio
separates the water body from soil/vegetation quite distinctly.
Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI)
Method

7. Digital Image Processing for Delineation of

Water and Land Boundary

The condition used to separate the water pixels from the

other pixels is as follows:

For delineating the land and water pixels following two

methods were adopted for a better accuracy.

NDWI = (DNG - DNNIR )/(DNG + DNNIR)

.. (i)

If NDWI is positive and if the DN value of NIR band is less

than the DN value of Red band and the Green band (NIR<
RED< GREEN), only then the pixel must be classified as
water.

Generation of Contours
Contours of equal intensity (lines of equal digital numbers)
were generated on the image. Contours which showed
probable water-land delineation were extracted and edited
based on Digital Number (DN) of various bands. The contour
satisfying the condition DNNIR<DNR<DNG (NIR:Near
Infrared, R:RED, G:GREEN) at maximum number of pixels
on the contour, is considered as final contour giving
delineation representing water spread area at that particular
elevation. This final contour is then further edited for
corrections.

8. Corrections in Vector Contours and Masks

Water in tail channels of Srisailam Reservoir appears as a
part of reservoir in the imagery however, the elevation of the
water surface in these river channels remains higher than the
water surface elevation of the reservoir. This extended tail of
main river channel and tributaries with higher water surface
elevation were cut at the point of termination of reservoir
water spread at corresponding levels taking help of base map
(contour map). The longitudinal section of main river and
tributaries proved to be useful in order to decide cut-off
points. Removal of extended tail is very much necessary as
this could generate considerable errors in estimation of
water-spread areas.

Thresholding Technique
After analyzing the histogram of the image, the ranges of
NIR band for land/water boundary demarcation were
identified. The NIR band was thresholded into two to three
ranges. First range contained all confirmed water pixels and
a mask was created, second and third range contained pixels
at the land/water boundary and at the tail portions of the
water-spread extending into river course and masks were
created accordingly. These range masks were evaluated for

In the masks, isolated water pixels within and near the

periphery of the reservoir, which show no hydraulic
connectivity were removed. Similarly, water pixels
downstream of reservoir were not a part of reservoir, hence
4

Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.12,No.4 (2012)

were removed. The areas of islands present in the reservoir

were deducted from the total water spread area from all the
imageries.

The reservoir capacity between two elevations of Srisailam

Reservoir was computed by following Prismoidal Formula
using water spread areas at corresponding elevations
obtained above:

After applying corrections, the actual water spread areas

were obtained. The water spread areas of the reservoir
extracted from imageries of 2001 to 2004 at different
elevation are shown as Figure 3. Estimated water spread
areas for different dates (dates of satellite over pass) obtained
by digital analysis of satellite data corresponding to different
elevations as shown in Table-2 were used to generate new
Area-Elevation curve.

V1-2 =h (A1+A2+A1*A2) / 3 . (ii)

Where, V1-2 = Volume between elevation E2 and E1

(E2>E1)

9. Estimation of Cumulative Capacity

h= E2-E1

A1, A2 = Water spread areas at elevation E1 and

E2

Figure 3. Water Spread Areas at Different Elevations for Srisailam Reservoir.

5

Assessment of Reservoir Sedimentation Using Remote Sensing Satellite Imageries

The cumulative capacities computed at different elevations

shown in Table-1 were plotted against corresponding
elevation in order to generate new Elevation-Capacity curve
as shown in Figure 4.

10. Results and Discussions

index thus computed considering total sediment deposition

of 1960.842 Mm3 since 1976 upto 2004 (28 years) and taking
2,06,030 km2 catchment area comes to around 339.90 m3/
km2/year which is equivalent to 543.84 T/ km2/year which is
close to the sediment index of 600 to 700 T/km2/year
indicated in iso-erodent map of Garde and Kothyari (1990).

The Elevation-Capacity curves for the year 2004, as well as

original (1976) and intermediate survey (1997) are shown as
Figure 4. The shift in capacity curves as compared to original
capacity curve represents the loss in capacity or sediment
deposited at different levels in live storage zone. It was
observed that the capacity of the reservoir is reduced to
6764.04 Mm3 from 8724.882 Mm3 in 2004. The sediment

An attempt was also made to compare the sediment

deposition pattern of Srisailam Reservoir for the year 1997
and 2004 with the four standard sediment deposition patterns
suggested by Borland and Miller. This comparison is shown
vide Figure 5. Out of four types of reservoirs classified by
Borland & Miller (1958), Srisailam Reservoir falls in Type-I
i.e Lake Type as per original capacity depth relationship of

Figure 4. Comparison of Cumulative Capacities of Srisailam Reservoir for Different Years.

Table-1: Capacity
Loss Estimation due to Sedimentation in Srisailam Reservoir for
Figure 4: Comparison of Cumulative Capacities of Srisailam Reservoir for Different
DifferentYears
Years

Table 1. Capacity Loss Estimation due to Sedimentation in Srisailam Reservoir for Different Years

Sr.
no.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11

Date of
Satellite
Pass
MDDL
2-Jan2004
25-Dec2002
9-Dec2003
25-Mar2002
6-Mar2001
18-Feb2001
3-Dec2004
24-Nov2004
16-Oct2004
FRL

Observed
WL (m)

Elevation
Difference
(m)

Area (Mm2)

243.840

0.000

org
1976
91.135

245.525

1.685

106.174

247.175

1.650

251.650

HS
1997
66.631

Cumulative Capacity (Mm3)

Loss in Cumulative
Capacity (Mm3)

RS 2004

org 1976

HS 1997

RS 2004

HS 1997

RS 2004

56.401

1557.684

1409.917

1296.500

147.767

261.184

73.096

71.660

1723.988

1518.879

1404.135

205.109

319.853

120.889

81.784

85.213

1911.092

1647.376

1533.394

263.716

377.698

4.475

162.203

121.673

91.483

2543.062

2089.209

1928.668

453.853

614.394

253.700

2.050

183.884

145.607

107.725

2896.693

2362.433

2132.629

534.260

764.064

257.190

3.490

237.879

200.676

155.734

3619.070

2965.274

2589.799

653.796

1029.270

261.090

3.900

329.366

292.212

245.634

4714.629

3920.096

3365.839

794.533

1348.790

263.550

2.460

395.436

350.773

325.803

5611.963

4707.246

4066.389

904.718

1545.574

264.350

0.800

419.705

372.752

351.794

5938.135

4997.101

4337.361

941.034

268.375
269.748

4.025
1.373

562.936
615.184

500.796

500.066

7915.187

6756.737

6043.006

1158.449

541.800

21
550.644

8724.882

7465.298

6764.040

1259.584

1600.774
1872.180
1960.842

Asian Journal of Geoinformatics, Vol.12,No.4 (2012)

Figure 5. Sediment Deposition Pattern in Srisailam Reservoir for Different Years Superimposed on Borland and Miller
Curves.

References

1976. After carrying out Remote Sensing survey for the year
1997 & 2004 it could be seen in Figure 5 that sediment
deposition was close to the Type-I both in 1997 & 2004.

1. A D Mohile et. al (April 1996) Inter basin transfer of

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11. Conclusions
The gross, dead and live storage capacities of Srisailam
Reservoir for the year 1976 were 8724.88 Mm3, 1557.68
Mm3 and 7167.2 Mm3 respectively. As per recent Remote
Sensing survey of 2004, it was observed that the original live
storage capacity of 7167.20 Mm3 was reduced to 5467.54
Mm3 i.e. by 23.714% in 28 years. Thus, the average annual
rate of loss of live storage capacity worked out to 0.846%. In
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capacity appears to be in line with annual loss of 0.5 to 1.0%
in many of the Indian Reservoirs. The sediment index
computed considering total sediment deposition 1960.842
Mm3 since 1976 upto 2004 (28 years) works out to 543.84 T/
km2/year which is close to value of 600 to 700 T/ km2/year
indicated in iso-erodent map of Garde and Kothyari (1990).
The comparison of deposition pattern of Srisailam Reservoir
with the standard types of deposition pattern suggested by
Borland and Miller indicated that the sediment deposition
pattern in Srisailam Reservoir also followed Type-I in 2004.
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