An experimental study of hydraulic and geomorphic changes in an alluvial channel induced by failure of a dam

Abstract

Dam structures may fail to cause significant changes in the downstream river hydraulics and geomorphology. In this study, basic hydraulic and geomorphic principles were utilized to analyze experimental data to assess changes in flood stage, resistance to flow, and transport of deposited sediment following failure of a dam. A relation for determining the induced maximum flood stage considering the river sinuosity is presented. It is found that the river sinuosity increases the river resistance to flow and thus increases flood stage. The presence of the sediment deposited behind the dam can significantly reduce resistance to flow and affect the river hydraulics after the dam failure. Further studies are required to improve our understanding of the interaction between the water and sediment transport and the river stability.