@ARTICLE{E. Valizadegan, author = {E. Valizadegan, and M. Shafai Bejestan, and H. Mohammad Vali Samani, and }, title = {Minimization of Reservoirs Sedimentation by Optimal Operation of Bottom Outlets }, volume = {15}, number = {55}, abstract ={Reservoir sedimentation is an unavoidable problem which has unsuitable effects on reservoirs such as decreasing of reservoir useful volume, decreasing of dam stability, unsuitable operation of operational gates and penstocks and decreasing of flood control volume. The minimization of reservoir sedimentation is a nonlinear and constrained optimization problem. Constrains imposed include reservoir storage level and releases in each time, and reservoir storage level in the end of operational period. In this study, after calibration of GSTARS3 software, one of the newest mathematical model for simulation of river and reservoir sedimentation developed by USBR, for region of Voshmgir dam, results of running of software were converted as a part of data file to an optimization model by a mediator computer program. After running the optimization model, results were converted to GSTARS3 by another mediator computer program. Then, GSTARS3 was run again with new data file, obtained from running the optimization model. Results of running of GSTARS3 were converted to the optimization model again. The continuation of this process (loop) finished when the desired accuracy was obtained. In other words, the optimum condition was obtained when the running of this loop finished. The constrained optimization problem changed to unconstrained problem using penalty function method. The Powell method, a method of direct search methods, was used to solve this unconstrained optimization problem. Capabilities of the model were demonstrated through its application to the Voshmgir dam in Gorgan for a 12 month period to obtain the optimal operation policy for minimization of reservoir sedimentation. }, URL = {http://jstnar.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1543-en.html}, eprint = {http://jstnar.iut.ac.ir/article-1-1543-en.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Water and Soil Science}, doi = {}, year = {2011} }