TECHNICAL PAPERS
Mar 1, 1992

Design of Flood Protection for Transportation Alignments on Alluvial Fans

Publication: Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 118, Issue 2

Abstract

The method of floodplain delineation on alluvial fans developed for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may be modified to provide estimates of peak flood flows of specified return periods at transportation alignments, such as aqueducts or railroads, crossing alluvial fans. The modified methodology divides the total length of the alignment into segments, and the peak flow expected in each segment during a flood event is estimated as a function of the return period of the event, the segment length, and the location of the alignment on the alluvial fan. This estimate of the peak flow can be used to properly size the facilities such as dikes, berms, and culverts to protect the alignment from flood damage. The proposed methodology has potential applications in any environment where transportation alignments must cross alluvial fans on which the hydraulic processes are similar to those for which the NFIP methodology was developed. An example of the use of this methodology is provided.

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References

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Go to Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
Volume 118Issue 2March 1992
Pages: 320 - 330

History

Published online: Mar 1, 1992
Published in print: Mar 1992

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Authors

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Richard H. French, Member, ASCE
Res. Prof., Water Resour. Ctr., Desert Res. Inst., P.O. Box 19040, Las Vegas, NV 89132‐0040

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