Experience in the operation of reservoirs in Azerbaijan

The article addresses approaches to solving the problem of the rational utilisation and sustainable management of water resources in highly turbid mountain rivers. A comprehensive analysis of the technical, hydraulic, and operational performance indicators of reservoirs constructed on mountain rivers characterised by high sediment concentrations and intense turbidity has been carried out. Particular attention has been given to evaluating the effectiveness of existing engineering measures aimed at controlling and reducing reservoir siltation. The problem of preventing siltation and sediment accumulation in reservoirs has become increasingly relevant and possesses considerable socio-economic significance due to its direct impact on water storage capacity, reservoir service life, hydropower generation, irrigation supply, and overall water resource management. This issue is especially acute in the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and other regions where numerous mountain reservoirs have been constructed and are exposed to substantial sediment inflows. The paper presents a critical analysis of existing methods for flushing and removing sediment deposits from reservoirs and proposes a new method for mitigating reservoir siltation during the operational period, thereby improving reservoir efficiency, extending operational longevity, and enhancing the reliability of water resource utilisation.