RT - Journal Article T1 - Flushing Sediment Removal Optimization Using Reservoir Operation Model: Sefid-Rud Case Study JF - ijwmse YR - 2009 JO - ijwmse VO - 3 IS - 6 UR - http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-100-en.html SP - 39 EP - 48 K1 - Sediment Removal K1 - Operation Optimization Model K1 - Variable chromosome Length Genetic Algorithm (VLGA) K1 - Flushing and Sefidrud Reservoir. AB - Operation optimization of the reservoirs has been mostly carried out based on general objectives, includingwater demand supplies, power generation, flood management, and environmental constraints. In mostof the previously developed models, sediment removal from reservoirs has not been included. Flushing isone of the most important and common ways of retrieving the lost volume of reservoirs due to sedimentation.Despite its adverse effects on the environment of downstream rivers, this method has received lots ofattention by engineers and researchers in the past. One of the main drawbacks of the previous studies inthe field of reservoir operation optimization has been lack of modeling tools for considering the relationbetween sediment removal and other objectives of reservoir operation. In this paper, a new approach hasbeen developed for monthly reservoir operation optimization. For this purpose, a model has been formulatedto minimize the total deficit in supplying demands and to maximize the total volume of sedimentremoved from the reservoir. The objective function for sediment outflow has been developed using theflushing method. The optimization model has been formulated using Varying chromosome Length GeneticAlgorithm (VLGA). The efficiency of the model has been tested in the case study of Sefidrud Reservoir inNorth of Iran. The results of the optimization model for a 5-year period have been compared with the historicalrecords of the operation of the reservoir. The results of the case study have been summarized in theform of practical operating rules for flushing and operation management LA eng UL http://jwmsei.ir/article-1-100-en.html M3 ER -