WORKSHOP ON

DAM OPERATION
BY
IR CHAN CHIANG HENG
ON
10TH SEPTEMBER 2014
AT
THE MALAYSIAN WATER ASSOCIATION
(GROUND FLOOR)
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION DESCRIPTION
1 Raw Water Sources
2 Operation of Regulating Dam
3 Critical Volume Assessment
4 Formulation of Contingency Plan
5 Effect of Reservoir Storage on Water
Quality
6 Limnological Survey of Impounded
Water
7 Treatment Problems and Solutions
 SECTION 1
R AW WAT E R S O U R C E S
 RAW WATER SOURCES

a) Surface Source

River
River with augmentation from dam release
Irrigation Canal
Off River storage
River Bank Filtration System
Sg. Selangor Phase 1 (SSP1)- Intake
Sg. Sireh Intake
 b) Underground Source
• Well
c) Impounded Source (Dam)
• Classification by Function
Classification Example Dam Owner
a) Water Supply
• Direct Abstraction • Klang Gates Dam WA
• Dam Release (Regulating • Sungai Tinggi Dam
Dam)

b) Irrigation Pedu Dam MADA

c) Flood Mitigation Sungai Batu Dam JPS

d)
• Flood Mitigation and • Sungai Batu Dam JPS
Water Supply
• Water Supply and Flood • Klang Gates Dam WA
Mitigation
e) Hydro Electric Temenggong Dam TNB
NOTES:
1) The Dam owner has control over:-
• Dam level (Volume)
• Point of Dam release (Water Quality)
• Quantity of Dam Release
2) All raw water sources do present some form of
treatment problem. The extent of treatment problem
or pollution varies from source to source.

3) Most water supply dam function as regulating

dam i.e. Releases are made during draught to
augment flow in river.
 SECTION 2
O P E R AT I O N O F R E G U L AT I N G D A M
 OPERATION OF REGULATING DAM

A) OPERATION PROTOCOL
• DEFINITION – Regulating dam: constructed to store water during
wet spell and dam release during drought to augment low river
flow.
Controlled release Flow to river at periodicals
(from impounded reservoir) low river flow

Ensure adequate river level Augment flow in the

river at Intake
 Overflow

Dam Release

Sg. Selangor Dam

B)ACQUISITION OF DATA & THEIR APPLICATION
I) At Dam
a) Catchment Area
Upstream of dam
b) Rainfall
- In catchment of dam (daily).
c) Characteristic of Impounded water
- Frequent initially.
- Thereafter bimonthly or monthly.
d) Dam Level (daily)
e) Record of quantity of release at
varying times (when required).
For impounded reservoir volume
estimation.
For estimation of possible increase in
volume of impounded water.
For planning the treatment of water
released at different levels of the
impounded reservoir. Monitoring the
water quality by conducting limnological
survey.
For trending the decrease or increase in
dam level and volume. Documenting
the acquired data will indicate a cut back
or increase in production.
This information coupled with base flow
in river will enable the likely water
quantity at the abstraction point to be
predicted.
 II) At Intake

(a) Water level in river

(i) Under normal flow condition For base flow volume and recession
(recording at 12 or 24 hourly constant estimation.
will suffice).
ii) During drought recording of For base flow volume and recession
level at close interval is constant estimation.
necessary. 6 to 8 hours is likely
the frequency.
For river level monitoring, the installation of an automatic level recorder is ideal.

(b) Rainfall
In catchment of tributaries. For estimation of flow volume from tributaries
into main river
In relation to forecast of dam releases
(c) Other users likely are the following:-
- Compensation water. To note water quantity requirement for
- Irrigation. estimation of required volume at intake in
- Water treatment plant upstream. relation to available volume.
C) APPLICATION OF RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FOR
RESERVOIR OPERATION

Elevation-Storage-Area Curve
Reservoir Control Curve
Rules for
Estimation of Time of Travel
Reservoir Operation
Recession Constant
Regulation of Discharge
 SG. TINGGI RESERVOIR
ELEVATION-STORAGE-AREA CURVE
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
70

Availability of on
60 E lev a ti
surface area /
age
at different Stor
elevation. n
50 e v atio
El
a/
Elevation - metre

Ar e

40

30

20

10
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 220 240
Storage – cubic metre 1 x 106
 Reservoir Control Curves

2020 MLD 1900MLD 1700MLD 1300MLD

110
Abstraction rates of
100
2020, 1900, 1700 and
90 1300 MLD were
Total Reservoir Storage (MCM)

selected at intake for Sg

80
Tinggi Dam
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
 ESTIMATION TIME OF TRAVEL
• Based on the observation of the travel time of the wave generated when
water was released from the dam to the intake
• Time observed : 16-17 hours
• Factors to be considered:
Ground Condition along the
flow path
Ground terrain along the flow
path related to the rate of dam
release
Possible abstraction of water
by others
Weather at time of study of
time travel
 RECESSION CONSTANT

• Value obtained from the equation

Flow at any time
q=q o x k t

Recession constant
Flow t days later applicable to any river
reach
• Reliable values of k can be derived when it is consistently
dry across a river basin for many days

• Total River flow= Spill Over Weir + Abstraction + Dam release

• Base River Flow = Total River Flow – Dam Release
• Min. Base Flow = Compensation Flow + Abstraction

Kt = 0.95 of base flow

 REGULATION OF DISCHARGE
RESERVOIR (DAM) RELEASE

• Factors to consider:

- River level.
- Base River Flow.
- Impending Weather Condition.
- Available Volume in Dam.
- Affordable Quantity of release
 SECTION 3
CRITICAL VOLUME ASSESSMENT
 CRITICAL VOLUME

• Active volume available in dam when the volume of

dam release has to be regulated or controlled
(restricted) to tie over an impending dry period.
• Water rationing may have to be implemented during
controlled dam release period.
 ACTIVE VOLUME

Total Volume = Active Volume + Dead Volume

Active volume = Total Volume – Dead Volume
Dead volume is defined as the volume of water below
the lowest outlet or drawoff level.
 EMPANGAN SG. TERIP DAM
DRAWOFF TOWER

106.50M

TWL 103.00M
Syphon No. 1 Crown Level = 100.75M
100.75M Spill Level = 99.65M
99.65M Inlet Soffit Level = 95.70M
95.70M Inlet Cill Level = 94.60M
94.60M
92.50M Syphon No. 2 Crown Level = 92.50M
91.50M Spill Level = 91.50M
87.70M
Inlet Soffit Level = 87.70M
86.60M Inlet Cill Level = 86.60M
84.60M
83.50M Syphon No. 3 Crown Level = 84.60M
Spill Level = 83.50M
79.70M Inlet Soffit Level = 79.70M
78.60M
Inlet Cill Level = 78.60M
LOWEST
SG. TINGGI DAM DRAWOFF TOWER – VALVE ARRANGEMENT

Parallel Face Sluice Valve

Regulating Valve

Guard Valve Air Valve

ADVANCED ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL
VOLUME
• Every dam has its critical volume
• The specific critical volume of any specific dam varies with
the weather condition in respect of time and quantity.
• To determine the relevant volume to choose from tabulate
available active volume in advance based on the following
percentages:
• 75%
• 60%
• 50%
• 40%
Tabulation Of Data of Active Volume
• Available volume between depths from top water level to first drawoff
outlet and between subsequent drawoff outlet

AVAILABLE VOLUME BETWEEN DEPTHS

TABULATIONS FOR SUNGAI TINGGI DAM
Dam Level (M) Interval Volume Comments
 
57.00 to 53.00 0.01M 15.40MG TWL is at 57.00M
(70.01ML)
 53.00 to 49.00 0.01M 12.65MG 49.00M is the 1st
(57.51ML) Drawoff Level
 49.00 to 45.00 0.01M 9.62 MG
(43.73ML)
 45.00 to 41.00 0.01M 7.70MG 41.00M is the 2nd
(35.00ML) Drawoff Level
 41.00 to 36.00 0.02M 9.24MG
(42.01ML)
 36.00 to 32.00 0.025M 7.56MG 32.00M is the 3rd
(34.37ML) Drawoff Level
 DAM VOLUME AT 0.01M INTERVAL (Sungai Tinggi Dam-Tabulation)
Level 57.00M to 53.00M
Depth Interval 0.01M
Total Depth Difference 4.00 M 56.81 22364.71
Vol. at this Depth Interval 15.40MG 56.80 22349.32
Tot. Volume Difference 6159.30MG
56.79 22333.92
Level (M) Volume (MG)
56.78 22318.52
56.99 22641.88
56.77 22303.12
56.98 22626.48 56.76 22287.72
56.97 22611.09 56.75 22272.32
56.96 22259.69 56.74 22256.93
56.95 22580.29 56.73 22241.53
56.94 22564.89 56.72 22226.13
56.93 22549.49 56.71 22210.73
56.92 22534.09 56.70 22195.33
56.91 22518.70 56.69 22179.93
56.90 22503.30 56.68 22164.54
56.89 22487.90 56.67 22149.14
56.88 22472.50 56.66 22133.74
56.87 22457.10 56.65 22118.34
56.86 22441.70 56.64 22102.94
56.85 22426.31 56.63 22087.54
56.84 22410.91 56.62 22072.15
56.83 22395.51 56.61 22056.75
56.82 22380.11 56.60 22041.35
Between Critical Depth
• Definition: Elevation or level of water in reservoir coinciding with the
selected critical volume.
 SECTION 4
F O R M U L AT I O N O F C O N T I G E N C Y P L A N
 FORMULATION OF CONTIGENCY PLAN

• Contingency plan can be formulated in advance for any active

volume in dam and dam level.
• Criteria involved in a plan formulation are as follows:
• Volume of dam release
i. A range of volume – Values based on past record related to river flow
quantity and current based condition.
ii. Sustaining period selected– related to weather condition and active volume
available.
• In contingency plan formulation rainfall is not taken into
consideration. Any rainfall occurs during the planned period is
considered a bonus.
 Example of Formation of Contingency Plan
a) Status of available vol. in dam as on 5/7/2002:-

Dam level = 53.32M

Tot. Active Vol. = 74,140 ML or 75.26% of Tot. active vol of
98,503ML
• Planning Strategy:-
Consider – Critical level, Critical volume & sustaining period

Critical Volume
Dam Active Volume Volume Percentage
Level At Specific Between To Total
(m) Level (ML) Specific (ML) Active Volume
Critical level 53.32 74,140   75.26
1st critical level of 49.00M     26.640  
2nd critical level of 47.00M
49.00 47,500   48.22
    8,750  
47.00 38,750   39.34
 b) Sustaining period

Rate of Dam Release (MLD)

Available Volume (ML)
800 700 600 500 400 300
Sustaining Period In Days

1st Critical Level            

(53.32M to 49.00M)            
             
26,640 33 38 47 53 67 89
             
2nd Critical Level            
(49.00M to 47.00M)            
             
8,750 11 13 15 18 22 29

Total 44 51 59 71 89 118
 SECTION 5
E F F E C T O F R E S E RV O I R S T O R A G E O N WAT E R Q U A L I T Y
WATER QUALITY IN DEEP RESERVOIRS
Introduction
• Seasonal density or thermal stratification varies for shallow (less than 6M) and deep
(greater than 6M) lakes and reservoirs.
• In shallow reservoirs, water temperatures and oxygen concentrations will depend on the
amount of wind induced mixing.
• At surface, water temperatures rise in relation to bottom waters, stratified density layers
will form in the water column.
• An oxygen defiency will result at the sediment – water interface, creating anaerobic
conditions that will solubilize nutrients and metals from bottom sediments.
• Deep water bodies experience thermal stratification and form three distinct layers of
water below the surface.

 Top layer is called epilimnion.

 Bottom layer is called hypolimnion.
 The layer between is called metalimnion (thermocline).
WATER QUALITY IN DEEP RESERVOIRS

Thermocline:Intermediate/boundary
layer that has sharp change in both
temperature and density Epilimnion: Upper layer of
well-mixed warm water

30oC

Epliminion (warm, aerobic, well-mixed)

Thermocline (sharp change in both temperature & water

density)

Hypolimnion (cool, anaerobic, poorly

mixed)

28.5oC

Lake
Hypolimnion: Lower layer,
poorly mixed cool water.
Thermal Stratification
Low DO and anaerobic.
CASE STUDIES

1)Demonstration by color intensity-Malut Dam

Raw Water at Varying Depth

Treated Water at Varying Depth
 SECTION 6
L I M N O L O G I C A L S U RV E Y O F I M P O U N D E D WAT E R
 OBJECTIVE

• To determine the raw water quality at varying depth in the

impoundment or dam
• For a dam, the survey is conducted at varying depth in the
Epilimnion, the Thermocline at the Hypolimnion.
• Knowing the water quality will facilitate treatment of the
impounded water.
 SAMPLING POINT
• At surface and at each drawoff point for a dam provided with a
variable drawoff tower.

PARAMETERS TO RECORD
a) pH
b) Colour
c) Turbidity
d) Iron (Soluble and Insoluble Form)
e) Manganese (Soluble and Insoluble Form)
f) Dissolved oxygen
g) Alkalinity
h) Hydrogen Sulphide
 SAMPLING FREQUENCY

• Weekly initially, thereafter bimonthly and monthly.

• The frequency is dictated by water level or volume of
water in the impoundment.
 TREATMENT PROBLEM

• Soluble manganese and iron are the common

treatment problem encounters.
• Aeration of the dam normally overcames this
problem.
 QUALITY OF IMPOUNDED WATER

Influent Quality
Siting of the reservoir
INFLUENTIAL Depth of reservoir
- depth of reservoir< 6.0M  shallow
FACTORS - depth of reservoir> 6.0M  deep
 stratify thermally

Detrimental effects:-
a) Thermal and chemical stratification
b) Algae problems
c) Insufficient or minimal mixing of
inflowing raw water with stored
water
 WATER QUALITY - SUNGAI TINGGI DAM

Parameter  Epilimnion Hypolimnion

1.0 Physical Changes    
   
a) pH 6.5 to 7.2 6.0 to 6.5
  Higher value due to Lower value due to Stratification.
  algae action
  (photosynthesis)

b) Colour (HU) 35 to 150 375 to 625

    Decay of vegetation and leaching
     of organic matter from the soil.

c) Turbidity (NTU)  3 to 28 6 to 66
  Sedimentation Result of suspended matter.

d) Temperature C 30 to 32 28 to 29
Subject to sunlight and Shielded by the thermocline.
wind action.
 Parameter  Epilimnion Hypolimnion
2.0 Chemical Changes    
     
a) Dissolved Oxygen 5 to 7 2 to 5
mg/l Exposed to atmosphere and wind action. Shielded from atmosphere and
    wind action.
 
b) Iron mg/l 0.40 to 1.50 7 to 20
  High dissolved oxygen content (aerobic Low dissolved oxygen Content
  condition resulting in precipitation). (anaerobic condition, Metal
    remain in soluble state).
 
c) Manganese (mg/l) 0.03 to 0.07 0.07 to 0.30
  High dissolved Oxygen content. Low dissolved oxygen content.
     
d) Ammonia as N 0.10 to 0.13 0.54 to 1.73
(mg/l) Nitrification can bring about a reduction in Increase in the cold anaerobic
  ammonical Nitrogen in the aerated surface stagnant
  waters. zone.
 
e) Alkalinity as CaCO3 4.4 to 6.9  8.9 to 17.2
(mg/l) Algae remove calcium carbonate and CO2
by photosynthesis. The result is an
increase in pH and decrease in calcium
carbonate.
 SECTION 7
T R E AT M E N T P R O B L E M S A N D S O L U T I O N S
 TREATMENT
CHANGING FORM OF METAL

Aeration
Use of Chemicals

Source – Dam (Jetting, Mechanical

pumping, Injection) Oxidants: Potassium permanganate,
Treatment Plant – Aerator chlorine, ozone, chlorine dioxide.
(Cascading/Trickling Aerator)

Most favored!
 THEORY METALS (GENERAL)
 Source Natural (a) Found in most natural waters
- dissolution of rocks and minerals.

(b) The hypolimnion of dam

- the dark, cold and anaerobic.

Man-made Industrial discharge.

 Type Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn).

 Form Soluble and insoluble (particulate)

Total (Fe) or (Mn) = Soluble + Insoluble Form

 Analytical Total Metal (Fe or Mn) - Acidify Sample and Boil

Analysis
Soluble Metal (Fe or Mn) - Filter sample through a 0.45 Ωm filter
paper.
 THEORY
METALS (GENERAL)

Insoluble by coagulation and flocculation and

Removal Form filtration
Soluble By first converting from soluble to
Form insoluble followed by coagulation and
flocculation and filtration

Thus, it is easier to remove in the

insoluble form than in the soluble
form.

In general, both iron and manganese

invariably occur in both the insoluble
and soluble form.
 TREATMENT

Conversion of Form Oxidation Process

(1) Aeration (Physical Means)

(2) Use of Chemical (Chemical Means)

TREATMENT
(1) Aeration (Physical Means)

The function of aeration

 To introduce oxygen to the water.
 To remove carbon dioxide (resulting in increase of
pH).
Removal of iron and manganese is pH dependent,
more so with manganese.

Nature’s Way
Oxidation Of Fe & Mn – Sg. Terip Dam
Oxidation Of Fe & Mn – Sg. Terip Dam
Oxidation Of Fe & Mn At Pedas Lama WTP from
Beringin DAM, Negeri Sembilan
Oxidation Of Fe & Mn At Scour - Malut Dam
Oxidation Of Fe & Mn At Scour - Sg. Semenyih Dam
Treatment of Impounded Water
Contaminants, Iron and Manganese
Weir Downstream of The Dam Intake
3.5

3.0

Quality Surveillance of
Sg. Semenyih Dam to 2.5
Intake (Year 1994)

2.0
IRON (ppm)

1.5

1.0

0.5

0.0
26 May
03 Mac
24 Mac

12 May

29 Dec
22 Sep

10 Nov
24 Nov
15 Dec
08 Sep
17 Feb
03 Feb

25 Aug
11 Aug
06 Jan
20 Jan

16 Jun
30 Jun

06 Oct
27 Oct
14 Apr
28 Apr

Dates of Sampling
14 Jul
28 Jul
61
\
TREATMENT
Man-Made

• Aeration at Source

(a) Dam
View Of Air Diffuser – Sg. Terip Dam
SIDE VIEW OF DIFFUSER DETAILED C1
20mm
Stopper Cap
20MM X 5 MM
Reinforced rubber nose

Perforated stainless
Steel pipe

Cross Connector Stainless Steel pipe

(grade 304) 0.75M
C1
Concrete Sinker .5M
0
0.5M
Concrete Sinker

PLAN VIEW OF DIFFUSER

6M Renforced
Rubber Hose
Threaded Ends
Concrete Sinker Perforated stainless
Steel pipe
Cross
6M

Connector Cross Connector Stainless Steel pipe

C2

Cross Connector
Stainless Steel pipe (grade 304)

Source from UTM DETAILED C2

 Variation of DO vs Depth After Aeration at Location 2
01-09-02 15-09-02 29-09-02
Aeration Hrs: 0.00 Aeration Hrs: 118.77 Aeration Hrs: 221.39
6.00

5.50

5.00

4.50
Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

4.00

3.50
3.00

2.50
2.00

1.50

1.00

0.50

0.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
1/9/02 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.5 4.4 4.4 4.3 4.2 4.0 3.9 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.0
15/9/02 4.5 4.3 4.2 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.5 0.3 0.2 0.1
29/9/02 5.9 5.8 5.8 5.2 5.0 4.9 4.1 4.0 3.8 3.8 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.7 3.7 3.6 3.6 3.3 2.3 1.2 1.1
 Variation of DO at Different Drawoff Level

DO (01.09.02) DO (15.09.02) DO (29.9.02)

6.50
6.00

Dissolved Oxygen (mg/L)

5.50
5.00
4.50
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50
2.00
1.50
1.00
0.50
0.00
1st Drawoff 2nd Drawoff 3rd Drawoff 4th Drawoff
Level = 73.00m Level = 66.60m Level = 60.20m Level = 53.80m
Drawoff Level
 TREATMENT

(2) Use of Chemicals (Chemical Means)

 Chlorine
 Chlorine Dioxide
 Ozone
 Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4)
 USE OF CHEMICALS (CHEMICAL MEANS)

(a) Use of Potassium Permanganate

Advantage Besides effective in removal of iron

and manganese, it also helps in the
reduction of TOC (Total Organic
Carbon).
Analytical The optimum dosage and time of
Analysis reaction has first to be determined.

Adverse Colour, add manganese to water.

Effect of
Over Dosage
 (a) Use of Potassium Permanganate
JAR TEST ON USE OF POTASSIUM PERMANGANATE (KMn04)
To determine KMnO4 Dosage and Reaction Time

Table 1 : Raw Water Quality

Date 06/10/03
pH 6.21
Turbidity (NTU) 97.1
Apparent Colour (Pt.Co) 521
Manganese total (mg/L) 0.224
Manganese soluble 0.128
(mg/L)
Iron (mg/L) 0.132
Aluminium (mg/L) 0.038
TOC 3.90
 Table 2 : Jar Test Data
Date of Test 24/09/03
Beaker No 1 2 3 4 5 6
Pre-lime (mg/L) 2 2 2 2 2 2
Potassium Permanganate (mg/L) 0.00 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50
Liquid Alum Dosage (as mg/L product) 24 24 24 24 24 24

Flocculant AN910 (mg/L) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10

Floc Size d3 d3 d3 d3 d3 d3

Settled water quality

SW pH 6.13 6.12 6.15 6.10 6.08 6.11
SW Turbidity (NTU) 3.76 3.82 3.58 3.55 3.68 3.65
SW Colour (Pt-Co) 24 24 21 21 22 22
SW Fe (mg/L) 0.12 - 0.11 0.12 0.13 -
SW Al (mg/L) 0.098 - 0.073 0.061 0.054 -
SW Mn (mg/L) 0.096 0.091 0.082 0.066 0.078 0.085
SW TOC (mg/L) 2.7 - 2.1 1.8 2.7 -
 Table 3 : Jar Test Data

Date of Test 24/09/03

Beaker No 1 2 3 4 5 6
Pre-lime (mg/L) 2 2 2 2 2 2
Potassium Permanganate (mg/L) 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30
Retention time for KMnO4 Dosing (mm) 11 9 7 5 3 1

Liquid Alum Dosage (as mg/L product) 24 24 24 24 24 24

Flocculant AN910 (mg/L) 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10

Floc Size d3 d3 d3 d3 d3 d3
 Table 4 : Jar Test Data
Settled water quality
Beaker No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
SW pH 6.10 6.09 6.11 6.08 6.05 6.07
SW Turbidity (NTU) 3.08 2.85 2.72 2.75 2.73 2.71
SW Colour (Pt-Co) 20 19 18 18 18 19
SW Fe (mg/L) - 0.11 0.11 0.12 - -
SW Al (mg/L) - 0.056 0.055 0.057 - -
SW Mn (mg/L) 0.016 0.016 0.017 0.020 0.032 0.046
SW TOC (mg/L) - 1.9 2.0 2.1 - -
Filtered water quality
FW Turbidity (NTU) 0.341 0.348 0.335 0.329 0.389 0.350
FW Colour (Pt-Co) 6 6 6 5 6 6
FW Fe (mg/L) - 0.01 0.01 0.01 - -
FW Al (mg/L) - 0.08 0.08 0.07 - -
FW Mn (mg/L) 0.009 0.010 0.012 0.014 0.023 0.028
FW TOC (mg/L) - 1.7 1.8 2.0 - -
Use of Potassium Permanganate - SSP 1
73
b) Use of chemicals (Coagulant)

• Appropriate Choice of Coagulant

Coagulant PAC – Filter – SSP1
Coagulant Alum – Filter – SSP1