Determining inflow design floods for a system of dams

Journal Article · Tue Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Hydro Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:5498713

Pansic, N; Borg, J E ^[1]

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1. Harza Engineering Company, Chicago, IL (United States)

The spillway capacity needed at one dam on a river system depends on capabilities of other dams. One U.S. dam owner used a novel methodology to determine inflow design floods in a multi-dam, multi-river system. Using the methodology for a system of dams, Wisconsin Electric Power Company was able to document the need for dam safety improvements in the basin and to prioritize spillway capacity improvements. Using this methodology, the utility documented that the spillway at Brule Dam could be rehabilitated to pass one-half the probable maximum flood (PMF) and still ensure safety, rather than expanding it to pass the full PMF. Consequently, Wisconsin Electric saved $2.8 million in spillway expansion costs. This methodology can be used for determining spillway capacity requirements for dams in series or systems of dams in branched networks similar to the Upper Menominee system.

• OSTI ID: 5498713
• Journal Information: Hydro Review; (United States), Journal Name: Hydro Review; (United States) Vol. 11:5; ISSN HYREE8; ISSN 0884-0385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

13 HYDRO ENERGY
130300* -- Hydro Energy-- Plant Design & Operation
130800 -- Hydro Energy-- Health & Safety-- (1990-)
CAPACITY
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DAMS
DESIGN
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
SPILLWAY
SYSTEM FAILURE ANALYSIS
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS