Estimation of Seepage Losses in Ephemeral Network and Branching Streams
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19, Issue 2
Abstract
Flood routing of seasonal waterways with no base flow involves considerable uncertainties due to transmission losses. This case would be more complex when water flows into network and branching rivers. A finite-difference scheme is developed in this study to solve Saint-Venant equations for unsteady flow through irregular branching streams. An alternative technique (staggered method) was employed for solving linearized equations. Water elevation at fluvial connections is determined at any time step implicitly using the influence line method. The accuracy of the model and its ability to simulate flow and losses is examined for steady and unsteady flow estates. This is done for simple and complex systems of channels (in situ and artificial systems) with and without consideration of seepage losses. Due to uncertainties involved in practice, results of the model verification showed an acceptable range of error when estimating seepage losses in complex systems. The results of this study reveal the considerable effect of seepage loss on estimation of discharge and flow direction in river branches. Using Lane’s hydrograph and characteristics of Hughes Wash River, Muskat’s equation predicted peak flood and transmission losses more accurately than other seepage equations.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the Shahid Chamran University of Ahwaz (SCU), Razi University of Kermanshah, and the Centre of Excellence on Operation Management of Irrigation and Drainage Networks Iran for their financial support and facilitation of the work.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 19 • Issue 2 • February 2014
Pages: 299 - 307
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 13, 2011
Accepted: Jan 17, 2013
Published online: Jan 19, 2013
Discussion open until: Jun 19, 2013
Published in print: Feb 1, 2014
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