Entropy model to assess sediment resuspension probability and trap efficiency of small dams

In the Brazilian drylands, there are tens of thousands of small dams. Despite their paramount importance to the rural population, they are rarely monitored. Water demand increases with time while, simultaneously, siltation reduces reservoir water capacity and availability. Reservoir siltation models are, therefore, mandatory to manage the numerous ungauged small dams in these drylands. The objective of the current study is to improve sediment trap efficiency (TE) modeling by including resuspension as a key probabilistic process. The Shannon entropy was used to estimate the sediment resuspension probability, which was merged with the Camp model and generated the RETSED entropy model. To validate the RETSED model, an experimental check dam (ECD, 300 m³), located in the Gilbués desertification site, Brazil, was monitored hourly during one hydrological year (July 2018–July 2019). Measurements show that the annual volumetric decline of the check dam was 12%; and that the average trap efficiency equaled 86%. Only 9.5% of the hourly sediment concentration outflow exceeded the average plus one standard deviation, showing that the reservoir is well mixed; a fact which highlights the relevance of the resuspension process. Three empirical models failed to mimic the experimental results: Churchill (TE = 99%), Brune (TE = 75%), and Maryland (TE = 94%). According to the RETSED entropy model, the resuspension probability during the experiment was 10% and TE = 81%, a value only 6% below the measured one. The Camp model simulated TE = 89%, only 3% higher than the measured value, but confirmed the Camp model's tendency to overestimate TE due to a disregard of resuspension. The deterministic model showed low sensitivity concerning the hydrodynamic effects, whereas the entropy formulation proved to be more consistent with physical behavior: the resuspension probability clearly increased and trap efficiency decreased with rising reservoir discharge. [Display omitted] •We present a novel equation for sediment resuspension in small dams.•The new equation is based on robust physical equations and on the Shannon entropy.•The new formulation is coupled with Camp sediment trap-efficiency (TE) model, adding only two new parameters.•Five TE models are applied to a field experiment, but only entropy and Camp models show acceptable results.•The entropy model shows high sensitivity concerning hydrodynamic effects.