Table of Content

3 METHODS OF RIVER DIVERSION AND ITS COMPONENTS .................................................................... 1

3.1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1
3.2 Site Selection for diversion head works................................................................................... 1
3.3 Required Data for diversion head work design.......................................................................... 1
3.4 Weir and Barrage ............................................................................................................... 2
3.5 Relative advantages and Disadvantages of Weirs and Barrages .................................................... 2
3.6 Design Consideration of weir or Barrage ................................................................................. 3
3.6.1 Crest Levels................................................................................................................... 3
3.6.2 Afflux........................................................................................................................... 4
3.6.3 Waterway and discharge per meter ................................................................................... 4
3.6.4 Pond levels ................................................................................................................... 5
3.7 Diversion Headwork Components.......................................................................................... 5
3.7.1 Weirs........................................................................................................................... 5
3.7.2 Divide wall .................................................................................................................... 6
3.7.3 Scouring Sluices ............................................................................................................. 6
3.7.4 Canal Head Regulator...................................................................................................... 6
3.7.5 River Training Works (wing walls and guide banks) ................................................................ 7
3.7.6 Silt Excluder .................................................................................................................. 7
List of Tables

Figure 3‐1: Vertical Drop weir....................................................................................................................... 2

Figure 3‐2: Barrage........................................................................................................................................ 2
Figure 3‐3: degree of submergence.............................................................................................................. 4
Figure 3‐4: Component Parts of a Diversion Headwork ............................................................................... 5
Figure 3‐5: sloping weir of concrete ............................................................................................................. 5
Figure 3‐6: parabolic weir ............................................................................................................................. 6
Figure 3‐7: Canal Head regulator .................................................................................................................. 7
Figure 3‐8: Arrangement of Settling Basin (Sedimentation Tank) ................................................................ 7
Figure 3‐9: Silt Excluder (under tunnel Type................................................................................................. 8
 Hydraulic structure II River diversion Works and components

3 METHODS OF RIVER DIVERSION AND ITS COMPONENTS

3.1 Introduction
Weirs and barrages are relatively low‐level dams constructed across a river to raise the river level
sufficiently and to divert the flow in full, or in part, in to a supply canal or conduit for the purposes of
irrigation, power generation, domestic and industrial uses, etc. These diversion structures usually
provide a small storage capacity. In general, weirs (with or with out gates) are bulkier than barrages
whereas barrages are always gate controlled. Barrages generally include canal regulators, low‐level
sluices to maintain a proper approach flow to the regulators, silt‐excluder tunnels to control silt entry in
to the canal and fish ladders for migratory fish movements. Weirs are also used to divert flash floods to
the irrigated areas or for ground water recharging purposes. They are also sometimes used as flow
measuring structures.
Hence, the diversion headwork serves the following purpose:
9 It raises the water level in river to irrigate the target command area
9 It regulates the intake of water in to the irrigation canal
9 It controls the silt entry in to the canal by the provision of under sluice structure
9 It reduces fluctuations in the level of supply in the river

3.2 Site Selection for diversion head works

The site selection of a barrage depends mainly on the location and elevation of the off‐take canal, and a
site must be selected where the river bed is comparatively narrow and relatively stable. The poundage
requirement and interference with the existing structures such as bridges, urban development, valuable
farmland, etc., must be considered, as well as available options to divert the flow during construction. In
general, the above purpose can be accomplished by constructing a barrier across the river, so as to raise
the water level on the upstream side of the obstruction, and thus to feed the main canals taking off
from its upstream side at one or both of its flanks. The ponding of water can be achieved either only by
a permanent pucca raised crest across the river or by a raised crest supplemented by falling counter‐
balanced gates or shutters, working over the crest.

An ideal site for the diversion head work should have the following characteristics:
1. The river section at the site should be narrow and well defined;
2. The river should have high, well‐defined, inerodible and non‐submersible banks so that the cost
of river training works is minimum.
3. The canals taking off from the diversion headworks should be quite economical and should
have a large commanded area.
4. There should be suitable arrangement for the diversion of river during construction.
5. There should be suitable locations for the undersluices, head regulator and other components
of the diversion headworks.
6. The diversion headworks should not submerge costly land and property on its upstream.
7. Good foundation should be available at the site.
8. The required materials of construction should be available near the site.
9. The site should be easily accessible
10. The overall cost of the project should be a minimum.

3.3 Required Data for diversion head work design

The following data is essential for the design of a the weir and its appurtenants structure
1. Topographic data
9 There should be a topomap of the area around the proposed site of the diversion structure
with contour. This topomap should include some of existing features on u/s and d/s of the
weir axis.
9 Cross‐section of the river at the proposed site and at intervals of 50m both on upstream and
downstream at least 300m from the proposed site for tail water computation.

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2. Geology and Geotechnical data

Geological and geotechnical information at the proposed weir site should be collected which will
include:
9 Bank stability and workability
9 River bed stability and workability
9 Availability, quality, quantity and proximity of construction material
3. Hydrological Data
9 Design flood at the proposed weir site
9 Design lean flow or base flow at the proposed weir site after considering up stream and down
stream allowances
9 Catchment characteristics for erosion risk assessment and water yield.
9 River nature

3.4 Weir and Barrage

If the major part or the entire ponding of water is achieved by a raised crest and a smaller or nil of it is
achieved by the shutters then this barrier is known as a weir. On the other hand, if more of the ponding
is done by gates and a smaller or nil part of it is done by the raised crest then the barrier is known as a
Barrage or a River Regulator.

Figure 3‐1: Vertical Drop weir

Figure 3‐2: Barrage

If most of the ponding or the entire ponding is done by a permanent raised crest, as a weir, then the
afflux caused during high floods is quite high. On the other hand, if most of the ponding is done by
gates, as in a barrage, then the gates can be opened during high floods and the afflux (i.e. rise in HFL
near the site) will be nil or minimum. Hence, barrage gives less afflux and a better control upon the river
flow, because the inflow and outflow can be controlled to a much greater extent by suitable
manipulations of its gates.

Moreover, a gate controlled weir (i.e. a barrage) can be provided with a roadway across the river at a
small additional cost. The choice between a weir with shutters and one with counter‐balanced gates (i.e.
a barrage) is largely a matter of cost and convenience in working. A shuttered weir will be relatively
cheaper but will lack the effective control possible in the case of a barrageHence, barrages are almost
invariably constructed these days on all important rivers.

3.5 Relative advantages and Disadvantages of Weirs and Barrages

Relative advantages and disadvantages of weirs and barrages can be summarized as follows:
Weirs:

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Advantages:‐The initial cost of weirs is usually low.

Disadvantages:‐
(i) There is a large afflux during floods which causes large submergence.
(ii) Because the crest is at high level, there is great silting problem.
(iii) The raising and lowering of shutters on the crest is not convenient. Moreover, it requires
considerable time and labour.
(iv) The weir lacks an effective control on the river during floods.

Barrages
Advantages
9 The barrage has a good control on the river during floods. The outflow can be easily regulated
by gates.
9 The afflux during floods is small and, therefore, the submerged area is less.
9 There is a good control over silt entry into the canal.
9 There are better facilities for inspection and repair of various structures.
9 A roadway can be conveniently provided over the structure at a little additional cost.
Disadvantage: ‐ The initial cost of the barrage is quite high.
Conclusion: ‐ from the above discussions, barrage is generally better than weir. Most of the diversion
headworks these days usually consist of barrages.

3.6 Design Consideration of weir or Barrage

The following hydrological and topographical data must be collected before designing of weir or
barrage:
i. High flood levels for the river at the weir site;
ii. Maximum flood discharge for the river at the weir site;
iii. River cross‐section at the weir site; and
iv. The stage discharge curve for the river at the weir site.
In addition to the above, there are also some basic factors, which have to be decided while designing a
weir or a barrage as follows:
(i) Crest Levels.
(ii) Afflux.
(iii) Waterway and the discharge per meter.
(iv) Pond Level.

3.6.1 Crest Levels

The weir consists of two parts:
a) The main weir section, called Weir Bay Section
b) Under sluice Section.
The under sluice section is kept at a lower level, so as to provide deeper silent river pocket near the
canal head regulator. The uidersluice crest is, therefore, kept slightly lower than the barrage bay crest so
as to attract a deep current in front of the canal head regulator, so that dry weather flow may remain
near the regulator.

If crest level is low, afflux shall be less, and since the depth of water over the crest will be more, it shall
lead to higher discharge per meter. A low set barrage, with increased depth of water over the crest may,
therefore, result in the increase in height of gates, thickness of floor, and cost of superstructure above
floor level. In case of weirs, the crest level is determined from the upstream energy level (TEL).

Thus: Crest level=U/S TEL‐He, where ‘He’ is the total head required over the crest for passing the flood
discharge.

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3.6.2 Afflux
The rise in the maximum flood level of the river upstream of the weir after construction is known as
afflux. The amount of afflux will determine the top levels of guide banks and marginal banks. By
providing a higher afflux, the waterway and, therefore, the length of the weir can be reduced, but it will
increase the cost of training works and the risk of failure by outflanking. At the same time, the discharge
intensity and the consequent scour shall go up, and hence, the sections of loose protections upstream
and downstream as well as the depths of pile lines at either ends shall have to be increased, thereby
making it costly. It is, therefore, always desirable to limit the afflux to a safe value of 1.0 to 1.2 meters,
most commonly 1.0 meter. However, in steep reaches with rocky bed, a higher value of afflux may be
permitted.

3.6.3 Waterway and discharge per meter

The length of the waterway should be adequate to pass the design flood safely. If afflux is increased,
waterway is reduced and vice‐versa. Hence, a limit placed on maximum afflux shall limit the minimum
waterway. It shall be seen that the cost of works as a whole is minimum for a certain waterway and
afflux. Attempts should, therefore, be made to attain the most economical combination of these two
factors. The length of waterway for alluvial rivers is usually determined by Lacey wetted perimeter (P)
given by: P=4.75*Q^0.5

Discharge over the weir

The discharge over the crest of the weir is can be determined using the following equation:
Q = CLe (H e )
3/ 2

Where C is the discharge coefficient depends on the type of the weir;

Le is the effective weir length;
He is the head over the crust including the head due to velocity of approach (i.e. He=H + Ha)
The coefficient of discharge is given as follows:
9 Sharp crested weir (B<2/3*H), C=1.84
9 Broad crested weir (B≥2.5H), C=1.705
9 Submerged weir: if the weir is submerged, coefficient of discharge is reduced. The value of the
coefficient of discharge C’ in the relation Q=C’ Le He^3/2 should be modified depending up on
the degree of submergence (hd/He). ‘He’ is the head over the crest and ‘hd’ is the difference in
the water level on the two sides. Graph below shows the ratio (C’/C) for different values of the
degree of submergence, where C is the discharge coefficient for unsubmerged crest and C’ is the
actual discharge coefficient.

Figure 3‐3: degree of submergence

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3.6.4 Pond levels

The pond level is the minimum water level required in the under sluice pocket upstream of the canal
head regulator, so as to feed the canal with its full supply.

3.7 Diversion Headwork Components

A diversion headwork consists of the following component parts.
a) Weir/barrage
b) Divide wall
c) Scouring Sluices
d) Canal Head regulator
e) River training works (Guide banks and Wing walls /marginal banks)
f) Gates
g) Fish Ladder

Figure 3‐4: Component Parts of a Diversion Headwork

3.7.1 Weirs
Weirs are classified into two types depending on the criterion of the design of their floors.
a) Gravity weirs: ‐ uplift pressure due to the seepage of water below the floor is resisted entirely
by the weight of floor.
b) Non‐gravity types: ‐ uplift pressure is largely resisted by the bending action of the reinforced
concrete floor.

Depending on the material and certain design features, gravity weirs can be further sub‐divided in to the
following types
i) Vertical Drop weir: – consists of a vertical drop wall or crest wall (Fig 3.1).
ii) Sloping Weir: ‐ suitable for sandy foundations.

Figure 3‐5: sloping weir of concrete

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iii) Parabolic (Ogee) weir: ‐ similar to a spillway section of a dam.

Figure 3‐6: parabolic weir

3.7.2 Divide wall

The dividing wall is built at right angles to the axis of the weir, separating the under sluices and the weir.
If there are under‐sluices at both the sides, there are two divide walls. The divide walls should extend on
the upstream to a point little upstream of the point opposite to the head regulator. On the downstream,
it usually extends up to the end of the loose protection, (or rip rap). It is necessary to ensure adequate
tail water depth in the under‐sluices for the formation of the hydraulic jump and to avoid cross flow in
the close vicinity of the structure which may result in the objectionable scour. The length of the divide
wall on the upstream equal to 1/2 to 2/3 times the width of the head regulator gives satisfactory flow
conditions when only one canal takes off from that side.

The functions of the divide wall may be summarized as follows:

1. Essential to separate the floor levels of the under sluices and the main weir;
2. Concentrates scouring action of the under sluices for washing out the silt by ensuring a straight
channel;
3. Prevents cross current and flow parallel to the weir;
4. Provides comparatively “still pocket” in front of canal head regulator, facilitating entry of clear water
into the canal; and
5. Can serve as a sidewall of the fish ladder.

3.7.3 Scouring Sluices

It is used to maintain a deep channel in front of the head regulator and dispose of heavy silt and a part
of flood discharge on the d/s side of the weir.
Functions:
9 Preserve a clear and defined river channel approaching the regulator;
9 Scour the silt deposited in the river bed above the approach channel;
9 Pass low floods without dropping the shutter of the main weir; and
9 Provide greater waterway for floods, thus lowering flood levels

Design Considerations:
Capacity: – At least double the canal discharge or be capable of passing 10 to 15% of the maximum flood
discharge
Crest Level: – should be lower than the crest of the head regulator by at least 1 to 1.2 meters if special
silt exclusion mechanism is not provided.
Impervious floor: – Thickness and length of the impervious floor should be designed on the same lines
as the floor of the weir portion

3.7.4 Canal Head Regulator

This is a structure constructed at the head of a canal taking off from a reservoir behind a weir or a dam.

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Figure 3‐7: Canal Head regulator

Design Considerations:
i) Water way – Should be sufficient to pass the full supply discharge of the canal;
ii) Alignment – normally aligned at 90o to the weir, but dependent on the site condition;
iii) Energy dissipation and other protection works – same principle as for the case of sloping
glacis weir design;
iv) Cut off – A concrete cut off at the end of the impervious floor should always be provided to
keep the exit gradient well within the limits; and
v) Breast wall Provision – to prevent spilling of water towards the canal during high floods.
The breast wall is supported by the piers and is designed for its own weight as well as the
water pressure u/s.

3.7.5 River Training Works (wing walls and guide banks)

Wing walls – wing walls flanking the barrage/weir and supporting the abutting earth bunds are designed
as retaining walls. Cut‐off walls (taken below the scour levels) below the wings and abutment walls at
both sides, in addition to the u/s and d/s cut‐offs across the river, form an enclosed compartment
providing weir foundation conditions.

3.7.6 Silt Excluder

It is a device by which silt is excluded from water entering the canal. The figures below show the
different arrangements for the removal of silt.

Figure 3‐8: Arrangement of Settling Basin (Sedimentation Tank)

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Figure 3‐9: Silt Excluder (under tunnel Type

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