International Journal of Recent Advances in Engineering & Technology (IJRAET)

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Hydrological Analysis and Design of Check Dam for Water Supply

1
R.S Patil, 2Yogesh M, 3Bharath D S, 4Mallappa S Naganoor, 5Saleem Pasha C A
1,2,3,4,5
Department of Civil Engineering, R.R Institute of Technology,Bengaluru-560090

Abstract : Designing a check dam is one of the most serious
and risky projects of civil engineering. But with proper
knowledge and data and with experience a stable check dam
can be designed to meet the necessary requirements. Also
while designing a check dam one should design it in an
economic manner. Designing a check dam unnecessarily big
may result in wastage of investment and resource. So a
proper study on hydrological features is relevant. Analysis
of stability of slopes is of utmost importance as its failure
may lead to catastrophic consequences resulting in loss of
lives and great economic losses. Failure of a mass located
below the slope is called a slide. It involves both the
downward and outward movement of entire mass of soil that
participates in failure. So in this project a proper
hydrological analysis of the Arkavathi River basin was
carried out. The analyses were basically determination of
average annual precipitation of the catchment, yield series
and flood discharge. After obtaining a suitable data the
cross section of the Check-dam was designed. Now in order
to check the stability of the dam a series of hand calculation
was done. It included stability of upstream slope,
downstream slope, overall stability against shear and
stability of foundation.
Keywords: Rain fall data, Flood Discharge, Contour,
Planimeter, Auto CAD, Hydrological analysis, Stability,
Arkavathi
I. INTRODUCTION
A check dam is a small barrier or dam constructed across
a swale, drainage ditch or other area of concentrated flow
for the purpose of reducing channel erosion. Channel
erosion is reduced because check dams flatten the
gradient of the flow channel and slow the velocity of
channel flow. Most check dams are constructed of rock,
but hay bales, logs and other materials may be acceptable.
Contrary to popular opinion, most check dams trap an
insignificant volume of sediment.
This practice applies in small open channels and drainage
ways, including temporary and permanent swales. It is not
to be used in a live stream. Situations of use include areas
in need of protection during establishment of grass and
areas that cannot receive a temporary or permanent
non-erodible lining for an extended period of time
Purpose of the Project
The project is proposed to benefit soladevanahalli blocks
of Bangalore district, Karnataka, which are chronically
drought affected areas. These areas are inhabited mostly
by poor people belonging to Below poverty line people.
The only source of income for the inhabitants of this area
is agriculture. Therefore the project is absolutely
necessary to improve agricultural output, drinking
purpose, ground water recharge and economy of the
region to mitigate the misery of a sizeable population,
mostly belonging to backward classes.
Location of the Project
The location is in Soladevanahalli Block of Bangalore
District which is near the village Tarbanahalli and is about
5 km away from Chikkabanavara sub-division of
BangaloreDistrict. The nearest railway station of South
west Railways is Soladevanahalli, about 5 km from the
dam site..
OBJECTIVES:
The broad objectives of Check Dams (In-stream Storage
Structures) are :
• To provide drinking water facilities in the villages
along both the sides of the river after monsoon period.
• Ground Water recharge
• To provide incidental irrigation during late Khariff and
Rabi by storing water at the end of monsoon mainly
through lifting devices.
 Guidelines for Exploitation of Surface Water by
construction of Check Dams
• Irrigation use of water flowing down drainage
channels.
• To divert water from perennial / semi-perennial streams
in hilly areas for irrigation purpose.

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• Other uses by villagers like bathing, washing, fishing,
recreation etc. depending on location and potentiality
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
Stability analysis of an earth dam under steady state
seepage- 17 March 1996 Tien-kuen Hnang
The aim of the work described in this paper is to describe
a numerical procedure for performing stability analysis of
an earth dam after the filling of a reservoir. Firstly, the
piezometric heads at
different points in an earth dam after the filling of a
reservoir are obtained with a trial-and-error procedure.
Then, the numerical analysis of the dam is performed
using the finite element method, with a cap model used for
representing soil behaviors. A special technique to handle
the effect of steady state seepage is introduced. An
example of a reservoir completed recently in Taiwan is
illustrated. The results indicate that the factor of safety
against stability failure of the dam is adequate.
III. METHODOLOGY:
HYDROLOGICAL ANALYSIS
Estimating spatial distribution of rainfall over the
catchment
The available rainfall data are point values but we need
data cover the whole Upper junk catchment. The
objective is to determine how the rainfall distribution is
influenced over the catchment by the different rain gauge
stations. There are many suitable methods. In this project
two methods were being used: Arithmetic Average
Method,Thiessen Polygon Method and the incorporation
of the elevation effect on rainfall distribution(Not dne).
These are introduced below.
Determination of average annual rainfall
Arithmetic Average Method
The advantage of Arithmetic Average Method is that it
needs the simplest calculation. But it shows a big
disadvantage over the others. The method is suitable if the
climate and the relief is near uniform throughout and the
regional distribution of rain gauges is homogenous. So in
this instance this method have appreciable inaccuracy,
therefore it was used to compare this result with the other
methods results.
The arithmetic average of the rainfalls is given by the
equation:
5. Area of each polygon was measured by counting
the unit boxes of the graph over which map was drawn.
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Where: spatial average of precipitation
- Rain gauge precipitation value
I - number of rain gauges
n - Total number of rain gauges
Arithmetic Average Method
Max annual rainfall= 839.51 mm
Min annual rainfall=325.24 mm
Average annual rainfall=540.557mm
Thiessen Polygon Method
The Thiessen Polygon Method was also used to find the
spatial distribution of rainfall.
In this method the Upper junk catchment was divided into
4 parts performing the following construction: drawing
straight lines between the rain gauges and constructing
perpendicular bisectors for each line. Accordingly we
obtain required sub regions which areas in the catchment
are closest to each rain gauge station.
Each sub region belongs to one of the rain gauges. The
spatial average precipitation in each region assumed to be
identical with precipitation value of the regions rain
gauge.
I have used Thiessen polygon method for the
determination of average rainfall as it is easy and reliable
method. Advantage of this method over arithmetic mean
is that, in this method weightage is given to all measuring
gauges on the basis of their aerial coverage on the map
,thus reducing discrepancies in their spacing over the
basin.
Procedure
1. All the gauges in and around the basin were
accurately marked on a map drawn to scale.
2. Consecutive stations were joined by straight to for
triangles.
3. Perpendicular bisectors were drawn to these lines
such that the bisectors formed a polygon around each
stations.
4. Each stations on the map were thus enclosed by a
polygon. A polygon represents an area for which the
station rainfall is the representative.
 International Journal of Recent Advances in Engineering & Technology (IJRAET)
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6. Thiessen weights were computed by dividing the
area of each polygon by the total basin area and checked
for the sum of weights of all stations to be equal to unity.
7. Finally the average precipitation was calculated by
using the relation.
of a watershed beginning with precipitation as the
hydrological exciting agent or input. A hydrograph is a
result three phases namely base flow, subsurface and
surface flow The rate of flow is usually expressed in cubic
meters or cubic feet per second.
Unit hydrograph: An Unit Hydrograph (UH) or unit
graph of a watershed is defined as the hydrograph of
direct runoff hydrograph resulting from a unit depth of 1
cm of excess rainfall of constant intensity generated
uniformly over the basin or drainage area occurring for a
specified duration of D hour. The term unit depth of
rainfall excess means excess rainfall above and over all
the losses (like evaporation, transpiration, interception,
depression storage and depression storage) in the basin
for which hydrograph is to be obtained.

Snyder’s synthetic unit hydrograph: When a catchment

is ungauged, the established empirical formula or relation
between the catchment characteristics and unit
hydrograph parameters may be used to synthesize a unit
hydrograph for a basin. A synthetic unit hydrograph has
all the features of the unit hydrograph, but it does not
require rainfall-runoff data for a particular flood. A
Fig 1: Determination of weighted mean synthetic unit hydrograph is derived from the theory and
experience, and its main purpose is to simulate basin
SL STATIONS INFLUANCE diffusion by estimating the basin lag or lag time based on
NO FACTOR a certain formula or procedure. The first synthetic unit
1 HESARAGATTA 0.198 hydrograph model was developed by Snyder in 1938 and
2 SOLADEVANAHALLI 0.118 is accepted as a standard practice for the derivation of a
3 YELAHANKA 0.120 unit hydrograph for a basin where rainfall and runoff
4 NELAMANGALA 0.071 data’s are not available.
5 DODDABELAVANGALA 0.1
6 KUNDANA 0.108 Determination of elevations of Ground level
7 DODDABALLAPURA 0.147
Fly levelling: The levelling instrument was placed on the
tripod and levelled accurately, the station points A,B and
C .The levelling instrument was placed at a convenient
distance from the station point C and B,A back sight was
taken on C and fore sight was taken on B.The points A and
B were not intervisible in a single set up. The intervisible
Where , , , represents precipitation and
point A' was taken at a convenient distance from A and
, , , area of 4 stations respectively and B.The instruments placed between B and A',A back sight
, , , their Thiessen weight or influence factor was taken to B and for sight was taken to A’, then
given by , , , . instrument shifted to a convenient distance from A' and
A,A back sight to A’ and fore sight to A was taken.
Thiessen Polygon Method
Profile levelling: First of all a chain was stretched through
Max annual rainfall= 820.858mm the centre of rode points marked at an interwell of 3m .one
point was marked on either sides of the points on
Min annual rainfall=309.908mm centreline. The levelling instrument was setup from which
all points are visible A back sight was taken on the bench
Average annual rainfall=526.605mm mark after levelled the instrument the height of
collimation was calculated .Then sights were taken to the
Determination of Flood discharge of collimation was calculated .then sights were taken to
the points which were marked previously (points on
Hydrograph A hydrograph is a graph showing the rate of centre line of rode in 3m interwell, one point to right and
flow i.e. dischargeswith time in a river, or other channel or one point to left at 15m distance in each 3m chainage)the
conduit carrying flow. It is the total response or the output last point was marked as fore sight, the distance was
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marked on distance column as left ,right and centre line F.S.L=844.50m

points and corresponding sight reading were marked, the
reduced level of each points was calculated. G.L =840.00m

By above methods R.L of site is found to be 841.430m F.L =839.00m

Contour capacity Design of flood

Plane table was setup at a convenient station(o),Draw By Ryve’s formula

radial lines towards the boundary of the area (ie A,B,C,D
and E)by pivoting the alidade at O CHAIN WAS Q=1000A3/4
Stretched to A, marked the interwell along the radial lines
,placed the levelling instrument at a convenient station =1000X(0.0501) ¾
such way that all points were visible from it, then the
levels of various points were founded, marked the points =105.89 cusecs
with same reduced level and interpolated ,then the
contour map were plotted =3.0010 cumes

Design of weir

Q=1.84(L-knH)H3/2

3.001=1.84(L-0.1X2X1)13/2

L=1.83m

Therefore provide 6m

Discharge intensity=3.001/6

=0.5cumes
Fig 2: storage valley
Normal scour depth(R)=1.35(q2/f)1/3 =1.35(0.52/1
Graphical method =0.85m

By graphical method considering 1 unit=2500m2 Therefore provide 1m

Calculated contour area=1,30,000m2 F.S.L=844.50m

Average ground level in the valley=840.05m T.B.L=844.500+1.5=846.000m

F.S.L=844.50m Top width of weir

Average storage height=844.50-840.05=4.45m B1=0.55(√H +√h)

Volume of valley storage= 0.13 X 1000 X 1000 X 4.45 = =0.55(√4.5+ √1)

5,78,500m3
=1.71
Design of check dam Data
Provide 1.8m
Catchment area=1,30,000m2
Bottom width
Nature of catchment=good
B2=H+h/√(£-1)
Average annual rainfall=540.557mm
=4.5+1/√(2.25-1)=4.9m
T.B.L=846.00m
Provide 5m

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Design of abutment

Height of abutment=846.00-840.00

H’=6m

Length of abutment=bottom width of weir =5m

Provide top width 0.5m

Bottom width=0.4XH’=0.4X6=2.4m

Provide 2.5m

Bottom width
Fig 3: Drawing of check dam
B2=H+h/√ (£-1) =4.5+1/√ (2.25-1)
Stability analysis
=4.9m
This is the most important part of this project. Designing a
Provide 5m dam is not only of the prior importance, designing it safe
against failure criterion is the main deal. The constructed
Design of abutment dam should be safe against adverse meteorological
condition and the geological feature of the location. The
following stability condition were taken into
Height of abutment=846.00-840.00
consideration for analysis as mentioned below:
H’=6m
• Stability of the downstream slope during steady
seepage
Length of abutment=bottom width of weir =5m
• Stability of the foundation against shear
Provide top width 0.5m
• Overall stability of the dam section
Bottom width=0.4XH’=0.4X6

=2.4m

Provide 2.5m

Design of return wall

Provide same c/s for the u/s and d/s return wall as the C/S
got from wing wall of junction return wall

Provide length of return wall up to suitable length to

protect the bund with a minimum distance of 2m
Fig 4: Earthen bund
Design of apron

LD =2.21C√H”/13 take C=4 CONCLUSION:

=2.21X4X√4.5/13 The primary function of an engineer is to design a

structure economically without compromising on its
=5.2m strength. So one should never compromise with the
strength even though the cost is high. The fury of nature
Adopt 6m. should never be underestimated. A thorough knowledge
on the hydrological analysis is therefore relevant for
designing such structures safely and economically. While
determining the average precipitation of basin, two
methods were used. There is not much variance between
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the two results, but still we choose the Thiessen polygon [3]
method because here the distribution is much spatial as
compared to average mean method and so give much
better results. [4]
While determining the centroid of the basin cardboard
and thread method was used which is always not accurate.
Because the cardboard may not be uniform at every point.
But still it the easiest and can be calculated easily by [5]
anyone as compared to modern softwares.
Dam Safety Code Requirements for Dams Design
& Construction.
IS 2720 : Part 17 : 1986 Method of Test for soils
– Part 17 : constant head test and falling head test
to determine permeability of soil, Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
Dam Safety Code Requirements for Dams Design
& Construction.

In case of design of slopes of dam, steep slopes require
less earth work hence, lesser cost. But, the factor of safety
is compromised.. Another, option is to provide reinforced
slopes or retaining walls. These slopes have greater factor
of safety than corresponding non-reinforced or
unsupported slopes. Although, they decrease the amount
of earth work involved the cost is significantly increased
due to the addition of these structures. But, the cost of
construction of slopes also depends upon the cost of land.
Therefore, in urban areas where the cost of land is high
steeper slopes may be provided with adequate
reinforcement or retaining walls in order to minimize cost.
[6] IS 2720 : Part 15 : 1986 Method for Test for soils –
Part 15 : Consolidation test ,Bureau of Indian
Standards, New Delhi.
[7] IS 2720 : Part 10 : 1991 Method for Test for soils –
Part 10 : Unconfined compressive strength. ,
Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
[8] SUBRAMANIAM,P(2011), “Reliability Based
Analysis Of Slope Foundation And Retaining Wall
Using Finite Element Method”, Submitted to
National Institute of Rourkela Rourkela, India

In case of small earthen dam horizontal filter can be used. [9] Henderson F.M 1996 open canal flow in New
But while designing bigger dams vertical chimney as well York
as rock toe should be provided to considerably reduce the
seepage [10] Ponc.V.M and Yevjevich.V 1978,
Muskingm-Cung method with variable
REFERENCE parameters, journal of the hydrological division.

[1] Hydrology and Water Resource Engineering by [11] Ponce. V.M 1986 Diffusion wave modelling of
K.C. Patra catchment dynamics, Journal of the hydrological
division.
[2] Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures
by S.K. Garg.

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