Hydraulic Design of Navigation Dams

Vincent D. Reynolds, MBA, P.E.

Course Outline

This course covers the design, construction and operation of navigation dams. Various topics will be studied including environmental impacts, types of dams, methods of construction, and flood flow operation among others.

This 8 hour course will examine the guidelines and engineering procedures for the hydraulic design of navigation dams. Several factors affecting the navigation dams will be discussed such as Hydraulics, Ice conditions, Spillway Design, Methods of construction, and safety among others.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student would have learned the following:

• Why navigation dams are needed;
• The basic components of navigation dams;
• The effects of zones of reverse flow;
• How NEPA addresses navigation dams;
• How to determine typical flood flows;
• The causes of dissolved oxygen;
• The uses of HEC-1;
• The most common quality parameter in navigation dams;
• The common uses for water-surface profiles;
• How to predict sediment problems;
• The uses of navigation locks;
• The purpose of a stilling basin;
• The causes of cavitation;
• How to design rip-rap protection;
• How to design cofferdams;
• The use of bulkheads in navigation projects;
• The effects of scouring;
• The probability of storm occurrence;
• The design life of navigational dam projects;
• Hyrdology associated with navigational dam projects;
• Sedimentation problems associated with navigational dams;
• Construction methods for navigational projects;
• How tailwater can effect scour;
• Maintenance issues of navigational dams;
• How ice can effect the operation of navigational dams;
• Diversion schemes used in navigation dam construction;
• How to stabilize channels from navigation dams;
• How to use discharge rating curves for gated, broadcrested weirs;
• How cofferdams can effect upstream water profile elevations during construction;
• Maintenance issues for spillways;
• Scour protection methods; and
• Navigation dams during low-flow periods.
  
  
  

Intended Audience and Benefit

This course is intended for Hydrologist, hydraulic engineers, military engineers, environmental engineers, or anyone with an interest in the hydraulic design of navigation dams.

Course Introduction

Navigation dams are built to ensure the safe transit for all vessels that are expected to use the waterways when flow conditions permit. Navigation dams can also provide functions such as irrigation and power. This course will focus on the hydraulic design of navigation dams.

This 8 hour course will examine the guidelines and engineering procedures for the hydraulic design of navigation dams. Several factors affecting the navigation dams will be discussed such as Hydraulics, Ice conditions, Spillway Design, Methods of construction, and safety among others.

Course Content

This course will examine the guidelines and engineering procedures for the hydraulic design of navigation dams. Several factors affecting the navigation dams will be discussed such as Hydraulics, Ice conditions, Spillway Design, Methods of construction, and safety among others. You are required to study Chapters 1 through 13 of this document.

Hydraulic Design of Navigation Dams

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Course Summary

Navigation dams are built to ensure the safe transit for all vessels that are expected to use the waterways when flow conditions permit. Navigation dams can also provide functions such as irrigation and power however this course will focus on the design of navigation dams for the safe passage of vessels. The information presented in this course could be used to enhance the student’s knowledge of Hydraulic Design of Navigation Dams.
 
Using good engineering judgment is always paramount in any situation. Utilizing good judgment and the knowledge gained in this course will aid the reader in the safe and efficient hydraulic design of navigation dams.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

http://www.usace.army.mil/
http://www.epa.gov
http://www.noaa.gov/

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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