Restoring the water-retaining capacity of hydro-electric dams by regular dredging and sand and silt removal is the only way left before the authorities.
Even though the expenses for regular sand and silt removal from dams would be enormous, it is the only available option left before the authorities to keep dams fully functional.
The gates which were used to keep the channels clear of sand and silt were removed and buried when the National Rivers Authority replaced the gates with a new flood protection system in 1981.
The project involved removing the silt and sand with excavators then dumping it out to sea as well as replacing all the chains that were holding buoys in place.
And sometimes we find that vast mountains of it have been worn down by erosion and that the cassiterite is now spread through the silt and sand of an ancient estuary.