Author(s)

JOYCE JANGGU, SUSIE NADYA, MUBASHER HUSSAIN

Abstract

Sarawak state of Malaysia has three large storage dams conserving fresh water for the mega hydro plants, i.e. Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) (2,400 MW), Murum HEP (944 MW) and Batang Ai HEP (108 MW). Murum HEP and Bakun HEP are cascaded development where Murum HEP regulates about 20% of Bakun HEP catchment. The catchment of Bakun HEP is experiencing extensive land development through logging activities and palm oil plantation. Due to these activities, the rate of sedimentation should be assessed in all major river tributaries flowing into Murum Reservoir. The Hydro team has been conducting sedimentation sampling in these river tributaries over the last few years and the total suspended sediment load in the river flow is being analysed. The objective of this study is to estimate the storage capacity loss at Murum reservoir by analysing the sediment build-up rate along with time and the expected reservoir life by calculating the sediment trap efficiency for Murum reservoir. The results will also help to highlight the sedimentation issue at Murum reservoir.

Keywords

sedimentation rate, storage capacity loss, reservoir, hydroelectric plant, dam, Bakun HEP, Murum HEP, Sarawak, Malaysia