Optimizing spillway capacity with an estimated distribution of floods

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Water Resour. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/WR023i011p02043· OSTI ID:5438599

Resendiz-Carrillo, D; Lave, L B

A model of social cost minimizing spillway capacity for dams is constructed using (1) the estimated distribution of peak flows from historical data, (2) the estimated relationship between spillway capacity and cost, and (3) a characterization of downstream flood damage from dam failure. Net social cost is the sum of construction costs and expected flood damage. This model is applied to data for the Rio Grande River at Embudo, New Mexico. Minimum social cost is attained at a spillway capacity must smaller than that needed to handle a probably maximum flood.

• Research Organization: Carnegie Mellon Univ., Pittsburgh, PA
• OSTI ID: 5438599
• Journal Information: Water Resour. Res.; (United States), Vol. 23:11
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
DAMS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SPILLWAY
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
NEW MEXICO
RIO GRANDE RIVER
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
FEDERAL REGION VI
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
RIVERS
STREAMS
SURFACE WATERS
USA
530100* - Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies- Social & Economic Studies- (-1989)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety