The Himalayan region is vulnerable to climate changes, which directly effects erosion and sediment transport processes. Long-term data is needed understand sediment dynamics and design sustainable hydropower projects today and in the future. However, sediment monitoring data available today seem to be inadequate for improved decision making.

The Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) are jointly implementing the second phase of the Snow Accumulation and Melt Processes (SnowAMP) project, being financed by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Kathmandu.

In the first phase, snow and snow melt data were collected and a model application was set up to study/simulate water resources in the Langtang catchment. In the second phase, knowledge and information on sediment dynamics will be improved for sustainable hydropower development.

Objectives

1. To identify the most pressing issues of sediment dynamics for hydropower development
2. To get an overview of the main collaborating institutions that have important roles in assessing sediment dynamics for hydropower development
3. Discussions will cover the status of and challenges related to monitoring, analysis, and management and use of sediment-related data in the broad sense.

Expected outcome

• Review of current knowledge of sediment dynamics in Nepal
• Inventory of on-going sediment monitoring stations and activities in Nepal
• Report on the sediment dynamics and monitoring in Nepal with recommendations for the way forward