Computer Simulation of the Volga River Hydrological Regime: Problem of Water-Retaining Dam Optimal Location

Abstract

We investigate of a special dam optimal location at the Volga river in the area of the Akhtuba left sleeve beginning (7 km to the south of the Volga Hydroelectric Power Station dam). We claim that a new water-retaining dam can resolve the key problem of the VolgaAkhtuba oodplain related to insucient water amount during spring oodings due to the overregulation of the Lower Volga. Using a numerical integration of Saint-Vanant equations we study the water dynamics across the northern part of the Volga-Akhtuba oodplain taking into account its actual topography. As the result we found an amount of water V A passing to the Akhtuba during spring period for a given water ow through the Volga Hydroelectric Power Station (so-called hydrograph which characterises the water ow per unit of time). By varying the location of the water-retaining damas well as various ow spatial structure on the territory during the ood period. Gradient descent method provides the dam coordinated with the maximum value of V A . Such approach to the dam location choice let us nd the best solution, that the value V A increases by a factor of 2. Our analysis demonstrates a good potential of the numerical simulations in the eld of hydraulic works.

Creation of digital elevation models for river floodplains

“…3) To update the Volga River bottom model, we use the data of the last depth measurements ranging from the Volga hydroelectric power station to the Svetly Yar settlement. These data are very sparse and after approximation to all our grid nodes we have the matrix b [3] ij with the height data of the river bed. 4) We use data on dynamics of coastlines of transient reservoirs, which are filled with water at the stage of interfluve flooding (April -May) and dry out in the summer (Figure 4).…”

“…6) Hydrodynamic modeling is carried out at the final stage ( Fig. 3a, b), reproducing the spring flooding of the interfluve territory in accordance with the procedure described in [1,3,22]. This allows you to check the channels connectedness of the hydrological system in addition to the morphostructural analysis.…”

“…3) To update the Volga River bottom model, we use the data of the last depth measurements ranging from the Volga hydroelectric power station to the Svetly Yar settlement. These data are very sparse and after approximation to all our grid nodes we have the matrix b [3] ij with the height data of the river bed.…”

“…These measurements provide an additional set of lines with a constant level of relief with very high accuracy. The refined matrix b [3] ij is the result of binding these isolines to heights. Our studies have shown the effectiveness of the UAVs use to obtain data on the boundaries of water bodies (Fig.…”

“…Such problems include storm surges, spring floods in river valleys, flooding due to heavy rainfall [1,2]. Hydrodynamic models allow technical and environmental expertise in the design of hydrological structures [3,4]. The important tasks are the determination of the watersheds' boundaries [5], the creating tools to help authorities respond to emergency situations [6].…”