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Reservoir Site Characterization I <br />is unknown as that portion of the reservoir has remained submerged since the original reservoir <br />filling. <br />Limited field observations of sediment flow and corresponding streamflow rate by Muller , <br />Engineering, together with average monthly influent flows estimated by Hydrosphere, enabled <br />the development of an approximation of annual average sediment movement by month. That <br />relationship shows that 91 % of the annual total water volume and 98% of the annual total <br />sediment inflow occurs during the runoff months of April, May and June. Utilizing above- <br />reservoir and below-dam sediment sampling data obtained during the course of the present <br />study, it can be concluded that 99% of the total sediment load is suspended material comprising <br />70% sand and 30% silt/clay. It is further concluded that 100% of bed load and 92% of all <br />suspended sediment is captured by the reservoir. <br />During the 53-year study period the gross sediment inflow was estimated, using the <br />flow/sediment rating curve, to be an annual average of 81 acre-feet/year. Using the <br />information for the 19 years the reservoir has been in place, and assuming 93 % sediment <br />capture, a total of 1,531 acre feet of sediment has entered the reservoir and 1,416 acre-feet of <br />that sediment has been retained. This corresponds well with the aforementioned 1,170 acre- <br />feet of measured sediment accumulation from the stage-area-volume curve information. The <br />current estimate of 81 acre-feet/year gross sediment yield developed from actual measurements <br />and reservoir mapping is 59% larger and more accurate than the regionally-based 51 acre- <br />feet/year gross sediment yield estimated during the Phase I Study (Hydrosphere, March 1993). <br />For the purposes of reservoir storage allocation, it is therefore estimated that the annual <br />average sediment inflow to the reservoir is 81 acre-feet per year. Assuming 95 % capture of <br />sediment at the higher reservoir size and 254 acre-feet of space created by construction-related <br />excavation within the reservoir yields a net 7,403 acre feet of sediment accumulation over a <br />100-year reservoir life. Therefore an allocation of 7,500 acre-feet of sediment storage volume <br />in the reservoir is suggested. Based upon the apparent historical pattern of sediment <br />deposition, this sediment is allocated 70% to the inflow delta, 10% to the reservoir ring in the <br />elevation range between five feet above and fifteen feet below the service spillway, and 20% <br />evenly distributed over the remaining deep areas of the reservoir. <br />Downstream Channel Stability <br />As with reservoir sedimentation, much can be ascertained about downstream channel <br />stability impacts by examining pre-reservoir and existing conditions. Unfortunately, in this <br />instance information about preconstruction conditions and interim physical changes is not <br />sufficient to allow precise conclusions to be reached. Some indirect information, qualitative <br />observations and examination of current conditions can also be used to confirm general <br />theoretical channel impacts and provide an approximation of future fluviomorphologic <br />characteristics. <br />Examination of maps and aerial photographs provides an overview of downstream Ml <br />channel changes since the dam was built in 1973. The most obvious and direct channel impact <br />downstream of the dam was the abandonment of the natural stream channel between the dam <br />and the confluence with the new spillway tailrace/channel. While the general location of the <br />channel has remained relatively unchanged, available mapping also indicates a general channel <br />widening and local bank retreat of up to 50-feet at several bends has occurred in the first 3/4 1 <br />3-16 1