Remote sensing-based reservoirs characterizing : bathymetry, capacity curves and sedimentation of Ouled-Mellouk dam reservoir

Abstract

Algeria faces several challenges in managing water resources, especially surface water, similar to many other countries with the same climate. This has led it to rely primarily on dams to ensure water security, which contributes to social stability. Therefore, monitoring and ensuring the optimal performance of dams becomes an imperative necessity. For this, remote sensing technology, which has proven effective in providing accurate data, can be used. In this context, this study aims to integrate remote sensing products such as radar images to determine the distinctive characteristics of dams’ reservoirs, such as storage capacity, bottom form, and the volume of sediment deposited. An approach was developed and successfully tested on the Ouled Mellouk dam located in the Aïn Defla Wilaya in northern Algeria.