Abstract
Five alternative management plans to improve recharge dam efficiency were tested at two sites in Saudi Arabia. The schemes weighed entailed use of the existing system, release of reservoir water to the downstream channel, release to a downstream basin, removal of silt from the reservoir bed, and scratching of the reservoir bed to boost recharge rate. Marked improvements were realized at both sites from application of the latter two options. Silt removal is suitable for recharge dams with a high accumulation of silt, while scratching is recommended if the surface of the reservoir is relatively large and silt deposits are not too deep.