Plaquette : Making the Senegal river navigable - IAGF 6ème session

f) Control and evaluate the dredging works It seemed it was necessary to set up a system to monitor the dredging works with the main contractor and have it written into the contract to make sure the results can be evaluated and controlled (draw up smart contracts). The example of t he Mongla River in Bangladesh was given, w here major dredging works have been engaged to open the navigable wate rway and avoid t he recurrence of sedimentation every year. 6) Obtain good knowledge of the river's flow regime and sediment transport The importance of good knowl edge of sediment flows in the river and how they shift has to be emphasized, to decide on t he solution to implement mechanically by dredging or by physical measures to ensure that the sediments are evacuated naturally at the mout h. o Ensure adaptive project management The very magnitude and duration of the project required f lexibility. It is necessary to observe how the river reacted to the fi rst dredging operations and adapt the technical methods used accordingly. Anot her recommendation was to include in the contract(s) the possibility of modifyi ng certain aspects to incorporate items resulti ng from benchmarks. Finally, it is critical to keep traces of the project w ith a documentation and resea rch centre capable of recording the project and praviding outlooks. An observatory of diffe rent uses to which t he river is put could also be set up and benefit f rom suppo rt from universities. fi) Create value through innovation This major praject could make the Senegal River a site of innovation and experimentation in different fields. Innovative technologies could be adapted to the local context. To this end, different innovative partnerships could be imagined fo r ail the components of the project (dredging, port operations, territo rial development, navigation). It is also necessary to resituate the project in a general and planetary context of combating c1imate change. lt could be of interest to international fund ing bodies if it included the use of innovat ive techniques, modes of financi ng and even fu nd collection (regarding property tax, etc). Furthermore, the f uture of t he Senegal River relies on the country's youth and the diversity of its people. lt is necessary to stir national dynamism to develop the competences present and find local solutions capable of fuell ing the World Water Forum scheduled fo r 2021 in Dakar. 17