HEC-RAS

River Analysis System

Low Flow Through The Gates

Version 6.4
Exported - October 2023

Approved for Public Release. Distribution Unlimited.

Table of Contents

1 SUBMERGED WEIR FLOW THROUGH THE GATES ......................................... 5

2
 When the upstream water surface is equal to or less than the top of the gate opening, the program
calculates the flow through the gates as weir flow. An example of low flow through a gated structure
is shown in the figure below.

Example Radial Gate Under Low Flow Conditions

The standard weir equation used for this calculation is shown below:

1)

Symbol Description Units

Weir flow coefficient, typical values will range from 2.6 to 4.1
depending upon the shape of the spillway crest (i.e., broad crested,
ogee shaped, or sharp crested)

Length of the spillway crest

Upstream energy head above the spillway crest

The user can specify either a broad crested, ogee, or sharp crested weir shape for the spillway crest
of the gate. If the crest of the spillway is ogee shaped, the weir coefficient will be automatically
adjusted when the upstream energy head is higher or lower than a user specified design head. The
adjustment is based on the curve shown in the figure below (Bureau of Reclamation, 1977). The
curve provides ratios for the discharge coefficient, based on the ratio of the actual head to the design
head of the spillway. In the figure below, He is the upstream energy head; Ho is the design head; Co is
the coefficient of discharge at the design head; and C is the coefficient of discharge for an energy

Low Flow through the Gates– 3

head other than the design head.

Low Flow through the Gates– 4

 Submerged Weir Flow through the Gates

1 SUBMERGED WEIR FLOW THROUGH THE GATES

The program automatically accounts for submergence on the weir when the tailwater is high enough
to slow down the flow. Submergence is defined as the depth of water above the weir on the
downstream side divided by the headwater energy depth of water above the weir on the upstream
side. As the degree of submergence increases, the program reduces the weir flow coefficient.
Submergence corrections are based on the shape of the spillway crest (broad crested, ogee shaped
weir, or sharp crested). If the spillway is a broad crested shape, then the same submergence curve
that is used for flow over a roadway at a bridge (see figure below) is used. If the spillway crest is ogee
shaped, a submergence curve from the USACE EM 1110-2-1603 (Plate 3-5, A-A) is used. If the spillway
is sharp crested, then the Villemonte equation (Villemonte, 1947) is used to compute the flow
reduction coefficient.

Factor for reducing weir flow for submergence

Low Flow through the Gates– 5