Global Reservoirs at Risk of Sedimentation Crisis by 2060
A recent study highlights a growing crisis in global freshwater reservoirs, with over half expected to become 'functionally dead' by 2060 due to sediment build-up. Researchers, led by Kai Liu from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, analyzed over 550,000 reservoirs worldwide using satellite imagery and sedimentation data. They found that sediment accumulation, caused by dams blocking silt, sand, and gravel, is reducing water storage capacity by more than 7% per decade. This trend threatens water supplies for over 2 billion people and impacts more than a quarter of global irrigated land. Australia and Spain are among the most affected, with nearly 85% and 75% of their reservoirs, respectively, projected to lose functionality. Arid regions, such as Namibia and Western Australia, face even higher risks, with sedimentation rates nearing 99% and 96%. The study underscores the urgent need for mitigation strategies to address this escalating issue. 
