Cas historique de sdimentation du barrage Pligre, Hati

The Peligre Dam in Haiti, on the Artibonite River, was built in 1956 for an expected life of about 180 years. Based on sedimentation data collected in 1925 and 1926, the average rate of silting in the reservoir was estimated at 3.45 × 106 m3/year. In 1979, however, an average sedimentation rate of 9.6 × 106 m3/year was established.Systematic observations were undertaken in 1961, 1977, and 1979 to explain the phenomenon and to predict the future rate of silting in the reservoir. The studies led to simulation, by means of a mathematical model, of the processes involved and have permitted reconstruction of the hydro-sedimentological events since 1956 as well as prediction of the future rate of sedimentation.In order to develop a methodology that has widespread applicability for predicting the rate of sedimentation, the main physical processes responsible for the patterns of deposition were used as common denominators: degradation of watershed and rivers, effects of deforestation, urbanisation, and agricultur...