About Edmund Atkinson
Practical hydraulic research leading to application.
With over 40 years of experience in sediment management, Edmund Atkinson provides a combination of theoretical depth and practical expertise. His career has been defined by the goal of achieving reliable design of sediment management at intakes and in reservoirs.
Developed the Science
During his tenure at HR Wallingford, Edmund undertook the research and development of the quantitative methodologies that now underpin best-practice sediment management. This era of research was not confined to a lab; it involved theory development, numerical modelling including Computational Fluid Dynamics, and extensive field verification.
This work culminated in the creation of:
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SHARC (Sediment Hydraulic Analysis of Regime Canals):
A comprehensive tool for resolving sediment problems at intakes by balancing sediment input to canal capacity, achieved by optimising the designs of sediment excluders, extractors, settling basins and of intake layout.
RESSASS: A specialised model for predicting reservoir sedimentation and delta evolution, which includes prediction of flushing operations.
By developing these tools, Edmund possesses a wide understanding of their strengths and limitations, knowing when a model can be trusted and how to interpret results over a range of environments.
With over 40 years of experience in sediment management, Edmund Atkinson provides a combination of theoretical depth and practical expertise. His career has been defined by the goal of achieving reliable design of sediment management at intakes and in reservoirs.
Practical hydraulic research leading to application.
Tested in the Field
Edmund’s approach to sediment management is rooted in field-proven science. Throughout his career, he has designed and led specialised sediment monitoring programs in challenging environments—from the high-velocity flows of the Kunduz River in Afghanistan to the massive silt-loads of the Yellow River in China.
This hands-on approach to data collection, using both imported specialist equipment and locally sourced equipment, ensured that the methods developed have been verified in the field.
Applying the Science
Since 2001, Edmund has operated as an independent specialist, called upon by international agencies (World Bank, ADB, DFID) to solve a range of sediment problems.
Whether it is diagnosing 50 years of shoal formation at the Sukkur Barrage using satellite imagery, deriving long-term solutions to manage sediment at Khanabad or confirming the morphological performance of the Marawaji Flow Diversion, Edmund’s work provides clients with the quantitative certainty needed for infrastructure investment at all scales.
A Global Track Record
Edmund has provided specialist research and consultancy across:
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South & East Asia: Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
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Africa & Middle East: Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, and Nigeria.
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Europe & Americas: UK, Ireland, Albania, and Colombia.
The Specialist’s Advantage
When you engage Edmund, you are not just engaging a user of software; you are engaging the author of the methodology with international experience. He provides the insight and the ability to produce clear, actionable engineering judgments that can achieve the longevity of irrigation, water supply and power infrastructure.