Reservoirs for water supply under climate change impact-A review

Abstract

Arid region water reservoirs have different characteristics and solutions from humid regions with the most water shortage in the world socio-economically. This paper outlines possible implementation methodologies, procedures and guidance for water storage in natural and artificial reservoirs for better operation and management rules taking into account the impacts of climate change. The literature is full of methodological applications regarding the impact of climate change on the hydro-meteorological records, but the same is not available in reservoirs (surface and underground), which is the scope of this paper. In addition, reservoir structures offer the necessary mitigation and adaptation activities against the effects of climate change to design, construct, maintain, operate or increase their existing capacity. To increase groundwater reservoir capacity in local aquifers, precipitation, associated flooding and flash flooding should be diverted to artificial groundwater recharges through precipitation and surface runoff harvesting activities. Definitions of fully or partially penetrating underground dams are also explained. The real groundwater feeding application is offered from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as arid region representative. Finally, a series of recommendations are presented for the future design and management of reservoirs.