Spillways

1.0 Definition
A spillway is an engineering structure used to provide the controlled
release of surplus water flow that cannot be contained in a storage basin,
(usually originating from a river or reservoir) from a dam or levee1, into a
downstream area. They are employed to avoid overtopping of the retained or
dammed water, which can destroy the dam and to also regulate the level of
water held behind the dam. There are a few types of spillways utilised today,
and are categorised based on the intake mechanism and structure used to
release the water. The following will cover the various disciplines of spillway
usage.
2.0 Types of Spillways
1. Uncontrolled Spillways
2. Controlled Spillways
3. Auxiliary Spillways
4. Concrete dams
I. Open channel spillways
Open channel spillways are dam spillways that utilize the
principles of open channel flow to convey impounded water
in order to prevent dam failure. They can function as
principal spillways, emergency spillways, or both. They can
be located on the dam itself or on a natural grade in the
vicinity of the dam.
II.

Side channel spillways

Side channel spillways are located just upstream and to the
side of the dam. The water after glowing over a crest
enters a side channel which is nearly parallel to the crest.
This is then carried by a chute to the downstream side.
Sometimes a tunnel may be used instead of a chute.

III.

Ogee spillways
This spillway is generally provided in rigid dams and forms
part of the main dam itself, if sufficient length is available.
The crest of the spillway is shaped to conform to the lower
nappe of a water sheet flowing over an aerated sharp crest
weir.

IV.

Chute (trough) spillways

1 Levee an embankment built or deposited as a result of

sedimentation, used to prevent the overflow of a river

In this type of spillway, the water, after flowing over a short

crest or other kind of control structure, is carried by an
open channel (called a chute or trough (to the downstream
side of the river. The control structure is generally normal
to the conveyance channel. The channel is constructed in
excavation with stable side slopes and invariably lined. The
flow through the channel is super-critical. The spillway can
be provided close to the dam or at a suitable saddle away
from the dam where site conditions permit.
V.

Stepped spillways

VI.

Bell-mouth spillways

VII.

Siphon spillways
This spillway works on the principle of a siphon. A hood
provided over a conventional spillway forms a conduit.
With the rise in reservoir level, water starts flowing over
the crest as in an ogee spillway. The flowing water,
however, entrains air and once all the air in the crest area
is removed, siphon action starts. Under this condition, the
discharge takes place at a much larger head. The spillway
thus has a larger discharging capacity. The inlet end of the
hood is generally kept below the reservoir level to prevent
floating debris from entering the conduit. This may cause
the reservoir to be drawn down below the normal level
before he siphon action breaks and therefore arrangement
for de-priming the siphon at the normal reservoir level is
provided.

3.0 Construction
Spillways are expected to be composed of the following structures (see
Fig. 1-3.0):
I.
II.

III.

Approach channel and safety boom

Control structure such as:
a crest structure
gates
bulkheads
stop-logs
grade soil
conveyance features e.g. floor, walls conduits or tunnels

IV.

V.

terminal structure/energy dissipater:

hydraulic jump stilling basin
flip bucket
plunge pool
downstream channel

FIG 1- 3.0: Parts of a typical spillway construction (needs citation; all images will be
redrawn)

4.0 Design Procedures and Considerations

I. Design data collection
II.
Feasibility design
III.
Final design
IV.
Cost estimating
V.
Safety of dam project
5.0 Spillway Design and Analysis
The type, location, and size of spillway will be dependent on the
evaluation of a number of factors, including:
I.
II.

Site conditions (geology and topography)

Dam type

III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
VIII.
IX.
X.

Hydrologic considerations
Hydraulic considerations
Seismic considerations
Constructability considerations
Project objectives
Risk analysis
Operation maintenance considerations
Economics

V.1.1 Parameters considered in Designing spillways

1. The inflow design flood hydrograph
2. The type of spillway to be provided and its capacity
3. The hydraulic and structural design of various
components
4. The energy dissipation downstream of the spillway
5.0.2
1.
2.
3.
4.

Basic expected design features

Smooth flow contraction towards crest of dam
Critical flow conditions at crest
Converging conveyance walls
Energy dissipation in the channel centerline

For a given inflow flood hydrograph, the maximum rise in

the reservoir level depends on the discharge characteristics of
the spillway crest and its size and can be obtained by flood
rioting. Trial with different sizes can then help in getting the
optimum combination.
5.1 Inflow flood design
The criteria for inflow design is given below in IS: 11223-1985 dams
maybe classified by using the hydraulic head and the gross storage behind
the dam as given.
Gross Storage
Between 0.5 and 10 million m3
Between 10 and 60 million m3
Greater than 60 million m3
The inflow design flood for safety of the dam would be as follows:
Size as
determined
above

Inflow design flood for safety of dam

Small

Generally 50 years return period flood should be

adopted for design of surplus arrangement. Where
dam breach may cause loss of human lives or great
damage to property etc.

Intermediate

Standard project flood (SPF)

Large

Probable maximum flood (PMF)

5.2 Design of side walls

The profile of flow on spillway surface determines the height of side
walls required to retain flow on the spillway. These are designed as retaining
walls with water side face to be vertical or near vertical for perfect energy
dissipation.
The bottom width of side wall is decided as per the safe bearing capacity of
soil at foundation level.
The stability should be checked at foundation level, top of bed concrete level
and at water side floor level etc.
The foundation level of downstream side wall should be kept at
downstream floor foundation level. Uplift pressures should always be
considered at all elevations while checking stability. Foundation of upstream
side walls should be kept at foundation level of upstream impervious floor.
5.3 Energy dissipater
Hydraulic jump type stilling basin
Hydraulic jump may be defined as a phenomenon, which is a distinct rise or
jump of water, accompanied by a great deal of turbulence. This phenomenon
may occur when a shallow stream of water moving with a high velocity
strikes a stream of water moving with a low velocity. When a fast moving wall
of water has to be slowed down to prevent scour damage below a work, the
hydraulic jump can be used with great advantage to destroy the kinetic
energy.

Horizontal apron type

Slopping apron type

5.4 Factors affecting design

I. Safety considerations consistent with economy
Many failures have resulted from improperly designed
spillways, or those of inadequate capacity.
II.
Hydrological and site conditions
The spillway design and its capacity depend on:

III.

IV.

Inflow discharge, frequency and shape of the

hydrograph of the river
Height of the dam
Capacity curve
Geological and other site conditions
Important topographical features
Steepness of terrain
Amount of excavation and possibility of its use as
embankment material
Stability of slopes and safe bearing capacity of soils
Permeability of soils
Type of dam
The type of dam influences the design of the spillway. Earth
and rock fill dams have to be provided with ample spillway
capacity
Purpose of dam and operating conditions
The ungated spillway should be provided, except in special
circumstances when gated spillways may be provided

6.0 Hydraulic Design and Analysis

I. Develop and verify discharge curves for the river
II.
Prepare initial flood routings of frequency floods to verify
appropriateness of the spillway type and size
III.
Refine spillway control structure layout and associated
discharge curves based on results from previous steps
IV.
Prepare flood routings to estimate maximum reservoir water
surfaces and discharge ranges for various operational
conditions
V.
Prepare initial water surface profiles and layout the spillway
conveyance features and terminal structure size and type
VI. Refine spillway conveyance features and terminal structure
based on results from previous steps
VII.
Prepare final water surface profiles to finalise size and type of
spillway conveyance features and terminal structure.
7.0 Selecting a spillway
8.0 Summary and Conclusion
Overtopping protection system must be adequate
Minimum energy loss spillway
Design construction must be sound