COLUMBAN COLLEGE, INC.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
OLONGAPO CITY

CEV516
(IRRIGATION, FLOOD CONTROL AND DRAINAGE ENGINEERING)

FLOOD CONTROL

SUBMITTED BY:

DE TORRES, VERGEL L.
(BSCE-5)

ENGR. ARIEL ROJAS

(INSTRUCTOR)

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 FLOOD CONTROL
OBJECTIVES
At the end of discussion, you will be able:
1. To distinguish the prime importance of flood control/management in different aspects.
2. To determine the different methods and techniques of flood control.
3. To know the components of flood control in terms of its design, estimation, location and
operational problems.
INTRODUCTION
Floods are relatively high stage of the river which is usually accompanied by overtopping
of the rural banks of the river in a particular reach. Typically, the causes of flood include heavy
rains or melting of snow or both when the discharge in the river is so high wherein its natural
cross section is unable to contain.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. Flood Control
refers to all methods used to reduce or prevent detrimental effects of floodwater and
its possible damages.
2. Flood Control Reservoir
temporarily stores a portion of the flood so that the flood peak is considerably
reduced.
3. Levees
are earthen dike or embankment along the river which is more common to construct
than flood walls.
4. Floodways
are portion of floodwater during the peak flood period, and thus decrease the
discharge in the channel of the river.
SUMMARY / CONTENT
A. DIFFERENT METHODS OF FLOOD CONTROL
I. CATEGORY A (METHODS ADOPTED TO MODIFY THE FLOOD)
1. Flood control measures for the channel phase
a. construction of reservoirs
b. construction of levees and flood walls
c. improvement of river channels
d. diversion of flood water to floodways
e. use of natural detention basins
f. construction of emergency floodways
2. Flood control measures for the land phase
a. watershed/catchment management
b. engineering measures for flood abutment

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 c. agronomic measures for flood abutment
d. afforestation
3. Flood control measures for the atmospheric phase
a. weather modification
II. CATEGORY B (METHODS ADOPTED TO MODIFY THE SUSCEPTIBILITY
OF FLOOD DAMAGE)
a. flood plain management
b. adoption of suitable development policies
c. effecting structural changes
d. flood proofing of areas
e. disaster preparedness and response planning
f. flood forecasting and flood warning
III. CATEGORY C (METHODS ADOPTED TO REDUCE THE LOSS)
a. emergency evacuation
b. flood fighting
c. adopting suitable public health measures
d. providing disaster relief
e. tax remission
f. flood insurance

B. SELECTION OF DESIGN LOAD

I. BASED ON TYPES OF FLOODS
1. Maximum Probable Flood (MPF)
is the flood that may be expected from the most severe combinations of
meteorological and hydrological conditions that are reasonably possible in a
certain region.
2. Standard Project Flood (SPF)
is the flood that may be expected from the most severe combinations of
meteorological and hydrological conditions that are reasonably possible in a
certain region, but excluding extremely rare combinations.
3. Flood corresponding to a certain desired frequency
is depending upon economic factors and other practical consideration.

C. ESTIMATION OF DESIGN FLOOD

I. METHODS
1. Maximum Observed Flood Method
is where the design flood is obtained by applying a suitable multiplying factor to
the maximum observed flood at the project site.
2. Empirical Flood Formulae Method
experimental method of estimating the design flood.
3. Enveloping Curves Method
is obtained from all the maximum observed floods for a number of catchments.

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 4. Unit Hydrograph Method
gives quite reliable results for drainage basins with an area not more than 5000
sq.km.
5. Frequency Analysis Method
involves statistical analysis of observed floods over a fairly long period.

D. FLOOD CONTROL BY RESERVOIRS

I. TYPES OF FLOOD CONTROL RESERVOIRS
1. Detention/Storage Reservoirs
is provided with gated sluiceways and spillways which can be operated as and
when required.
2. Retarding Reservoirs
is provided with ungated sluiceways and spillways which automatically regulate
the outflow from the dam.
II. LOCATION OF FLOOD CONTROL RESERVOIRS
1. upstream of the area to be protected
2. broad flood plain where a very long dam would be required
III. EFFECTS OF FLOOD CONTROL RESERVOIR
1. It reduces the discharge on the downstream to a safe rate of flow.
2. It stores the flow with greater than safe rate of flow.
3. It also releases the stored water to downstream channel.
IV. OPERATION PROBLEMS OF FLOOD CONTROL RESERVOIRS
1. Excessive Inflow
If the inflow volume approaches or exceeds the storage capacity, its operation will
be quite different.
2. Local Inflow
It is where the reservoir operation cannot be effectively planned.
3. Recurrence of Flood
This happens when a second storm occurs before the reservoir is completely
emptied to cause problem.
4. Synchronization of Local Inflows
This occurs when flows in excess of the river are released from a reservoir.

E. LEVEES AND FLOOD WALLS AS FLOOD CONTROLS

I. LEVEE
is an earthen dike or embankment along the river.
is more common to construct than flood walls.
II. FLOOD WALL
is used in developed area where it is difficult to obtain enough land.
is designed to withstand the hydrostatic pressure like gravity dams.

F. IMPROVEMENT OF RIVER CHANNEL

I. EFFECTS AS FLOOD CONTROL
1. It reduces the river stage at a specific point in the reach.
2. It improves the hydraulic capacity of river.
3. It increases the discharge capacity of the river.

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 II. METHODS OF CHANNEL IMPROVEMENT
1. increasing of channel section
2. realignment of the river
3. increasing of rivers velocity
4. increasing of waterways at crossings.

G. DIVERSION OF FLOODWATER TO FLOODWAYS

1. FUNCTIONS OF FLOODWAYS
a. They created large, shallow reservoirs which store a portion of the floodwater.
b. They provide an additional outlet for water and hence increase velocity and
decrease stage on the upstream of the point of diversion.

H. PROCEDURE FOR DESIGN OF FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT

1. Estimate the project design flood and determine the flood characteristics of the area.
2. Identify the areas to be protected by the project.
3. Conduct a field survey to determine the flood damages which are likely to occur
corresponding to different stages of flood.
4. Identify suitable methods of flood control.
5. Design the flood control works for different alternatives of flood control measures.
6. Select the flood control measures.
7. Write the project report giving the details of the possibilities explored, the
recommended measures and the expected degree of protection.

REFERENCE
Arora, K. R. (2013). Irrigation, water power and water resources engineering. New Delhi:
Standard Publishers Distributors.

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