Global Reservoirs at Risk of Sediment Build-Up by 2060
Global Reservoirs at Risk of Sediment Build-Up by 2060
US · Published Jun 9, 2026
A recent study has revealed that over half of the world's freshwater reservoirs could become 'functionally dead' by 2060 due to sediment accumulation.
This phenomenon occurs as dams trap silt, sand, and gravel, reducing water storage capacity and threatening dam safety and downstream ecosystems.

Why It's Important?

The sedimentation crisis poses significant risks to global water security, potentially affecting over 2 billion people and a quarter of the world's irrigated land. Reservoirs in arid regions are especially at risk, with nearly three-quarters expected to become functionally dead by 2060. In Namibia, over 99% of dams are in danger, while Australia's fragile soils and vegetation clearing exacerbate the problem. The study warns that climate change could accelerate sedimentation rates due to increased rainfall, further straining water supplies for a growing global population.

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