1.

Introduction

A reservoir filling study is normally undertaken to investigate the duration required of

filling the reservoir with river flow to various critical elevations of the works. The results
will be used for planning purposes in the construction.

2 Critical Elevation

The durations that reach the critical elevations after reservoir impoundment are listed as
follows:

(a) Minimum Operating Level

The minimum operating level is required for the commissioning of the hydro-
mechanical equipment and turbines in the power station commences only if the
reservoir level reaches this level. For planning purposes this time will assist with
assessing the period before operation of the power station can commence.

(b) Spillway Crest Level

The crest level of the spillway is important for planning purposes, if the reservoir
impoundment is to be carried out prior to the completion of spillway.

3 Assumption and Methodology

3.1 Methodology

The methodology in estimating the rate of reservoir filling is briefly discussed.

• The rate of reservoir filling is estimated by statistical approaches. The statistical

approach estimates the probability of a given discharge, based on available
historical data, which could occur if the statistical characteristics of the data are
unaffected by the construction of the dam.

• Two scenarios have been considered in the analysis, one with while the other
without riparian release of a specified discharge in m3/s.

• The percentiles of the historical stream flow records are first estimated. Here,
the kth percentile is defined as the value of the data such that k percent of the
value are less than that value. Here, the italic number “k” any real number
ranging from 0 to 100%. Therefore, the probability of occurrence greater than
that value is equal to 100 – k Percentile.

Two approaches are attempted to estimate the discharges at various percentiles

and then probabilities: Interpolation and Normal distribution. The results are
used for comparison purposes only; only to indicate the results are of similar
order of magnitude. They can be estimated by using the functions available in
the Microsoft Excel spread sheet.
 Interpolation: Various k percentiles are interpolated from the range of
stream flow data. They are estimated from the cumulative
frequency graph.

Normal Distribution: Various k percentiles are estimated based on the mean

and standard deviation of the historical monthly stream
flow records. They are estimated from cumulative area
under the standard normal curve.

Explanations on the two methods are discussed in the built-in functions of

Microsoft Excel. Details may be referred to standard statistical textbooks and the
followings are recommended for references:

(a) Knode. D., and Bohrnstedt, G. W. (1994), “Statistical For Social Data
Analysis”, F.E. Peacork Publishers, Inc., USA.

(b) Ang, A. H. S. and Tang, W. H. (1975), “Probability Concepts In

Engineering Planning And Design”, Vol. 1: Basic Principles & Vol. 2:
Decision, Risk, and Reliability, John Wiley and Sons , New York, USA.

3.2 Assumptions

• The occurrence of stream flow discharge at each month is independent of

preceding and subsequent monthly.

• Evaporation, seepage losses and rainfall on the reservoir surface are ignored in
the analysis. The reason is that the stream flow data at the gauging station are
obtained before the reservoir is built. They represent the net river inflow, after
deducting the losses due to evaporation, seepage and adding rainfall on the
catchment.

• Additional analysis will be carried out by estimating the rate of reservoir filling
with the normal distribution. The probability of occurrence of an event equals to
or above a prescribed value is determined by assuming the data fitted well with
the normally distribution.

4 Procedures

The procedures for computing the reservoir filling rate are given as follows:

• Determine the long-term monthly stream flow series available near the dam site
from the long-term monthly stream flow series.

• Determine the probability greater than a specific discharge from the relatinship:
100-% k percentile estimated by Interpolation and Normal Distribution.

• The impounding and closure works are assumed to commence at the beginning
of different months, such as January, April, July and October.
• Two cases will be considered: with and without riparian release.

• The cumulative days required for filling the reservoir to the specific water level at
different probabilities will be calculated. Note that the probability greater than a
specific discharge is used in the calculation. Therefore, it estimates the minimum
water level that the stream flow is able to fill the reservoir under similar
catchments and statistical characteristics for a given probability.