Fill in the Blanks (Reading & Writing)

Reservoirs must be managed carefully to balance the competing demands of drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control and hydropower generation. Engineers monitor rainfall forecasts and inflow rates to decide how much water to —releasereleasingreleasedreleases without risking a shortage later in the year. During prolonged droughts, authorities may —imposeimposingimposedimposition restrictions on non-essential water use to protect dwindling reserves. Sediment build-up behind dams can also gradually —reducereducingreducedreduction a reservoir's storage capacity, requiring periodic dredging.