Modeling sediment load accumulation from river discharge case study; River Semliki.
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Date
2026
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Busitema University
Abstract
The increasing sediment load and notable shoreline expansion in Butiaba, present significant environmental and socio-economic challenges, including water quality degradation, poor sanitation, loss of lives and property and loss of aquatic habitant.
This study investigated site-based sediment yield, transport, and deposition dynamics at Butiaba along the eastern shoreline of Lake Albert, with a specific focus of on sediment discharge from River Semliki and its role in shoreline expansion. The research integrated hydrological, hydraulic, and geospatial modelling techniques to quantify sediment generation within the catchment, simulate its downstream transport, and evaluate its deposition patterns at the lake interface.
Bathymetric integration enhanced the reliability of deposition modelling by capturing the influence of lakebed gradients on sediment settling zones. Areas with gentle bathymetric slopes exhibited higher accumulation rates, confirming the role of submerged topography in controlling sediment distribution. This linkage between bathymetry and sediment dynamics provides a more comprehensive understanding of shoreline evolution processes at Butiaba.
Using hydrological and sediment data, the research integrated field-based measurements of suspended-sediment concentration, and bathymetric elevation with the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and HEC RAS model to simulate runoff and sediment transport. The analysis established the link between river discharge fluctuations and sediment accumulation rates, providing insights into how these dynamics alter lake morphometry. Hydrological and sediment yield modeling was undertaken for River Semliki watershed to quantify sediment generation and transport processes, while detailed sediment assessment was confined to the Butiaba shoreline in Buliisa district.
This study demonstrates that sediment accumulation at Butiaba is not uniform but episodic, largely driven by peak discharge events originating from upstream catchment processes. High sediment yield periods correspond to increased deposition at the lake interface, resulting in incremental shoreline expansion. The combined modeling framework of SWAT and HEC-RAS successfully captured the continuum from catchment-scale erosion to localized deposition influenced by bathymetric conditions, highlighting the importance of integrated approaches in sediment studies.
Overall, the research provides a robust methodological framework for assessing sediment-driven shoreline changes in data-limited environments. The findings have practical implications for infrastructure planning, navigation management, and environmental conservation at Butiaba and similar river-lake systems. By explicitly linking sediment yield modelling with bathymetric- controlled deposition processes, the study contributes to improved predictive capability and informed decision making in sediment management and coastal engineering contexts.
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Undergraduate research report
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Citation
Twichirize, F. (2026). Modeling sediment load accumulation from river discharge case study; River Semliki. [Unpublished undergraduate research report]. Busitema University.