From a global perspective, dams are constructed to trap water flowing from a higher concentra-tion to a lower concentration into a basin for several purposes to aid humanity. The continuous monitoring of dams is prudent for measuring the rate of sedimentation and siltation, and to en-sure that it functions to its full capacity. The Tagwai dam is used for irrigation and domestic ac-tivities. It was observed that there is a shortage in its storage capacity and supplies due to sedi-mentation, and coupled with this is the fact that the majority of the communities are not con-nected to the tap water system; if not, the problem would have been evidently pronounced. However, to determine the present volume of water and provide possible ways of increasing the reservoir’s storage capacity, the leapfrogging approach was used to improve the basin. The data were collected using a single beam echosounder and Hi-Target V30 differential global positioning system (DGPS). The sounder was used to acquire bathymetric data, while the DGPS was used to delineate the shoreline. The data were interpolated using the ordinary Kriging technique. After that, the leapfrogging method was grouped into four scenarios: Scenario A, B, C, and D. In each stage, the volume was computed using Simpson’s 3/8 integrated model. Scenario A is the present stage of the reservoir. Consequently, the results show that, while scenario B and C presented an appreciable increase in volume at the instant, scenario D illustrated a tremendous improvement in the storage capacity, and it is a win-win situation. The decision on which leapfrogging approach to employ depends on the government’s willingness to enhance the reservoir’s capacity and the resources available, such as human and financial capital to execute the project.

Dams are built to store the water flowing from upstream to downstream. Sedimentation and siltation are some of the major problems affecting the storage capacity of dams. For effective management, bathymetric and topographic data are used to assess this challenge. In the Mambila Plateau of Taraba, Nigeria, the Tunga Dam is a multifunctional reservoir that serves as a small hydropower, irrigation and domestic use dam. Nonetheless, it is not operating to its full potential, leading to issues such as frequent stoppage of the turbine, low irrigation activities and a shortage of water supply for domestic use. To determine the basin’s approximate present volume, a topographic and bathymetric survey was conducted using a differential global positioning system (DGPS)-Hi-Target V30 and a single beam echosounder to acquire the real-time data. The data were processed, and the digital elevation model (DEM) of the study area was modelled using a triangulation irregular network algorithm (TIN). The deepest point of the dam was found to be 21.25 m, and the volumetric capacity was assessed based on the elevations. The tessellation data format adequately represents the reservoir DEM for future purposes to better enhance the reservoir capacity. Hence, the research suggested that dredging should be carried out to boost the basin’s capacity. Likewise, an embankment can be constructed around the dam to enhance the basin’s storage capacity. The dredged material can be used to achieve the barrier’s building, which will reduce the overall cost.