Management of Recharge Dams in Saudi Arabia

Five alternative management plans were applied at two recharge dams in central Saudi Arabia with the aim of improving their recharge efficiencies. The management plans included the present management system, release of reservoir water to the downstream channel, release to a downstream basin, removal of silt from the reservoir bed, and scratching of the reservoir bed. The results of field applications were not easily comparable due to the topographical changes of the reservoir bed and the different sizes and times of floods throughout the seasons. A rational comparison of recharge efficiencies are made through simulations. Field experiments showed that alternatives concerning silt removal from and scratching of the reservoir bed produce substantial improvements in recharge efficiency.