Method to improve the mitigative effectiveness of a series of check dams against debris flows

The advance of technology has led to more competent countermeasures, but lives and properties still continue to suffer from water-induced disasters, such as floods, landslides, and debris flows. To increase the effectiveness of counter systems, improved methods of planning and designing such systems...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrological processes 2008-12, Vol.22 (26), p.4986-4996
Main Authors: Osti, Rabindra, Egashira, Shinji
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
check dams
debris flow
Earth sciences
Earth, ocean, space
Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics
Engineering geology
Exact sciences and technology
Freshwater
Hydrology
Hydrology. Hydrogeology
Natural hazards: prediction, damages, etc
optimization
potential storage volume
San Julian River
San Julian River, Venezuela
Venezuela
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Summary:The advance of technology has led to more competent countermeasures, but lives and properties still continue to suffer from water-induced disasters, such as floods, landslides, and debris flows. To increase the effectiveness of counter systems, improved methods of planning and designing such systems are prerequisite. This paper describes briefly a methodological approach for predicting debris flow characteristics, and proposes techniques for evaluating and improving the mitigative effectiveness of check dams against debris flows in steep mountain torrents. Additionally, a non-dimensional parameter, namely potential storage volume, is introduced to generalize the evaluation processes. As an example, the 1999 debris-flow event in the San Julian River, Venezuela, is chosen for discussion. The paper also proposes a method of evaluating the control function of a series of check dams as well as the criteria for the selection of their sizes, numbers and locations. It is hoped that this work will help to determine which combinations of check dams will fit best together for the optimal control of debris flows and available resources in any river basin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0885-6087
1099-1085
DOI:10.1002/hyp.7118