Check Dam

Small check Dams (0.65m ≤ H ≤ 2m)

CPMO / NWARA / ADB
Kabul, Afghanistan
Faridoon Danesh
June, 2021
Hydraulic Structure Manager

faridoon988@gmail.com
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 Small Check Dam

Definition of Check Dam

Small barriers or dams constructed of stone, bagged sand, gravel or other
durable materials across a drainage way.

Purpose of Check Dam

To reduce erosion in a drainage channel by restricting the velocity of flow in the
channel.

Condition Where Practice Applies

This practice is used as a temporary or emergency measure to limit erosion by
reducing velocity in small open channels that degrading or subjected to erosion an
where permanent stabilizing is impractical due to short period of usefulness and time
constraint
Faridoon Danesh
of construction. 23-May-21 2
Design Criteria
Drainage Area = Maximum drainage area above the check dam shall not exceed
two acres. (Acres = 4046.86 m2)

Side Slopes = shall be 2:1 or flatter

Spacing = the check dams shall be spaced as necessary in the channel so that the
crest of the d/s dam is at the elevation of the toe of the u/s dam. This spacing is
equal to the height of the check dam divided by the channel slope.
Therefore:

S = h/s
S = spacing interval (m)
H = height of the check dam (m)
S = channel slope (m/m)

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 Main Components of the Check Dam

Spillway

Body of Check dam

Foundation
Bank side
foundation
>0.5m
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 Types of the Small Check Dams
1. Brushwood check dams
 Made of wooden poles and brush,
 Suitable for small gullies of 1 to 2 meters in width / depth
 Maximum Height 1m

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2. Loose Stone Check Dams
 Made of loose stones or rocks
 Stability and strength depends on the size of rocks and quality of the construction
 Commonly used, where stones are abundantly available

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3. Boulder Check Dams
 Made of big boulders or rocks,
 Stability and strength depend on the size of the boulders or rocks and quality of the
construction
 Commonly used, where boulders or rocks are abundantly available.

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4. Gabion Check Dams
 Made with Gabion Boxes filled with stones,
 Flexible
 Preferred where big boulders are not available
 Recommended to make first check dam to support boulder check dams

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5. Stone Masonry/Concrete Check Dams
 Made of cement masonry or Mass concrete.
 Commonly used to protect important infrastructures such as road, building etc.

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 Types Advantages Disadvantages

Brush - Wood  Simple, Low cost, Local material • Takes long time to establish
 Stronger with time

Loose Stone  Simple, Low Cost and Local • Weak if not made properly, and
material do not use sizeable stones

Boulder  Simple, Low cost • Difficult to Transport big rocks

 Use locally materials • Large voids may create water
 Permanent structure and durable if jets causing erosion
properly made

Gabion  Flexible and permeable • Costlier

 Suitable where land mass is moving • Gabion external material
• Skilled labor

Concrete  Permanent and solid • Costly and external material

 Have aesthetic look • Need good engineering design,
and skilled labor
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 Design Specification
Site Selection:
 Straight and firm stream section
 Avoid curve and confluence
 Stable and Good
 Base foundation and
 Side foundation
 Compensation gradient: non-erosive velocity of flow.
 Generally: - 3 to 5 per cent slope

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 Run off Estimation for Check Dam
For calculation of check dam run-off/discharge many methods are requested by
scientists like:
1. Rational Method
2. Decking’s Formula
3. Creager Formula
4. Fanning Formula
5. IngliesFormula
6. Courtange Formual
7. Mayer Formula
8. USGS Formula
9. Fuller Formula
10. Horton Formula…
Among all these formulas the rational method is best and we use this method.
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 Rational Method
Q = C*i*A/3.6
Q = stream discharge (m3/s)
A = Watershed Catchment Area in (KM2)
I = Rain fall intensity in (mm/hr) or equal to time of concentration, To
International Range of intensity rainfall
1. I < 2.5mm/hr – Light rain
2. 2.5 < I <7.6 mm/hr – Moderate rain
3. 7.6< I < 10 or 50 mm/hr - heavy rain
4. I > 50mm/hr – Violent rain
C = run-off coefficient relate to the watershed materials, slope (Unite less)
The is method is applicable for the watershed area should be less or equal to 15
sq.km
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 Determination of Rainfall Intensity (i)
When the rainfall records are not available, the intensity of rainfall is
ascertained by the following empirical formulae,
(a). For storm duration (5 to 20 mins) 𝟔𝟕𝟐
i=
𝐭+𝟏𝟎

(b). For the storm duration (20 to 100 mins) 𝟏𝟎𝟐𝟎

i=
𝐭+𝟏𝟎

𝟑𝟒𝟑𝟎
(c). Where rainfall is frequent i=
𝐭+𝟏𝟖

Where, i = intensity of rainfall in mm/hr, t = duration of storm in min

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 Spillway Design – Sharp Crest
Q = 1.84 * B * hn^1.5

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 CONSIDERATION:
1. Min depth of foundation should not be less than 1.0m (As thumb role)
2. Width of the foundation should not be less than 1.5*Notch length
3. Side foundation should not be less than 50cm
4. Depth of foundation should be >1.33*Scour Depth (Ds)
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5. The spillway should be designed for Peak runoff (Rational Method)
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Example: design a check with the following data,
Q = 5 m3/s, H = 2m, L = 6m, d90 = 50mm, q = 0.833m3/s/m

Solution:
Ds = (4.75*H^0.2*q^0.57)/d90^0.35 = 1.251 m
A.L = 4*(0.467*q^0.667)^1.5*H^0.5 = 1.509 m
hn = (Q/3.68)^0.4 = 1.13 m
Bn = 2*hn = 2.26 m
A.W = 1.5*bn = 1.5*2.26 = 3.39m

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 STRUCTURAL DESIGN CONSIDERATION

 Determine dimensions of the various components

 Test against Its strength and stability
 Safety is mostly endangered by scouring
 Calculation of Foundation depth Spillway size and shape
Check dams are designed for:
 Safety against overturning;
 Safety against sliding; and
 Safety against the bearing pressure on the foundation soil.
Same as retaining wall, but add water pressure
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 GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

 Proper site selection and design

 Construct check dams along with other treatments (like plantation,
diversion channel, retaining walls, etc.)
 Use big and well shaped hard stones in loose stone / boulder check dam
 Use the biggest and hardest stones for the spillway section and the
foundations.
 The spillway section must take the peak runoff flow.
 Fill the upstream of the dam
 The foundation must be firmly based in the sub-soil and in the banks.
 Prevent water flow by-passing the check dam sides
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 General Maintenance

 Maintenance is very important for the stability and effectiveness

 Failure of check dam may be hazardous
 Maintenance must be continued for at least two years after the
treatment year.

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 CAUSES OF FAILURES
Human factors and natural factors:
• Inadequate design considerations such as: -
• Hydrological consideration
• Structural consideration
• Low Grade of construction
• Watershed degradation
• No or inadequate maintenance activities;
Natural factors
• Unexpected flow condition
• Natural disaster like earthquake beyond human control

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 Weak Side
Foundation
Foundation
Exposure

No Spillway

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 Thank You!

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