Proposals for rehabilitation and management of backwaters typically include restoring connection with the main channel by re-opening channels closed by sedimentation, water control structures to manipulate water levels, increasing inflow from groundwater, or diverting polluted runoff away from backwater inflow.  Although large sums are spent annually on backwater rehabilitation, general design criteria for such projects are lacking. After considering the factors of initial cost, ongoing costs for operation, and operational flexibility, two approaches for backwater restoration research were selected:

 

2.  Backwater manipulation with weirs