Sediment Monitoring and Modeling of Upstream Sediment Retention for Mwache Reservoir, Kenya

Mwache Dam and two check dams are currently under construction near Mombasa, Kenya. In order to devise a sustainable sediment management scheme for the dam, the project is based on two main components: (1) Provision of on-site, hands-on training in sediment sampling, laboratory tests and post-processing for suspended sediment, bedload, reservoir deposits, and river bed material, in the Mwache River watershed. (2) Long-term simulation of sedimentation at the check dams upstream of the main Mwache Dam, to assess and predict sediment deposition patterns and rates within the upstream check dams, which serves as a check dams for sediment detention to protect the downstream Mwache main dam. This modeling effort aims to support effective sediment trapping, reservoir operation, and downstream sediment replenishment strategies.