Calibration of Area-Reduction Empirical Method for Dam Reservoir

The mathematical model of Area-Reduction empirical method is written through MATLAB software. Three periods of the hydrologic survey are required to run, calibrate and validate the model. The Dez Dam, which is one of the most significant dams of the Middle East with three periods of hydrographic surveys in 1972, 2002 and 2011, has been chosen for the investigation. The annual average of the input sediment load to this reservoir was calculated by summation of the suspended load and bed load that were estimated through the sediment rating curve and experimental Karaushev curve, respectively. Upon running the model in order to predict the sediment distribution in 2002, the optimization was done by combining MATLAB and Genetic Algorithm models. The research was validated by comparing the results of the calibrated model in 2002 and 2011 with the measured data in the corresponding years. Additionally, Sediment distribution in the reservoir was predicted for 2032 and 2052 using the optimized model. Input data of the calibrated model can be changeable, so the calibrated method can be generalized for other reservoirs as well.