CE314 : ENGINEEERING UTILITIES 2
FLOOD
CONTROL
SYSTEM
PRESENTED BY: GROUP 4
A Recap
WHAT IS FLOOD
CONTROL
SYSTEM?
What is Flood Control
System?
A flood control system is a set of
engineering structures and measures
designed to manage water during heavy
rains or typhoons.
It aims to reduce or prevent flooding in
vulnerable areas such as cities, towns, and
farmlands.
These include levees, dams, drainage
networks, pumping stations, and other
engineering works.
Importance of Flood Control
Flood control is very important in the Philippines
because the country experiences an average of 20
typhoons every year.
Heavy monsoon rains often cause rivers to overflow
and create flash floods in both rural and urban areas.
Urban flooding is made worse by rapid urbanization
and poor drainage systems in many cities.
Effective flood control systems protect lives, property,
agriculture, and critical infrastructure.
KEY TERMS
• Runoff
- The water that flows over the land when rainfall is too intense or when the ground is already saturated.
• Infiltration
- The process of water soaking into the soil.
• Hydrograph
- A graph that shows the discharge or flow of a river over a period of time.
• Floodplain
- the low-lying area near a river that is naturally prone to flooding.
• Levee
- an embankment or wall built to prevent river water from spilling onto the land.
• Retention
- refers to the permanent storage of excess water, often in reservoirs.
• Detention
- refers to the temporary storage of water to slow down the flow and reduce flooding.
Structural
Components
Dams and Reservoirs
Gravity dams: made of concrete rely on their
massive weight for stability.
Arch dams: curved structures that transfer
water pressure to canyon walls.
Embankment dams: most common type; built
from compacted earth or rock fill.
Core civil engineering task Stability analysis:
Dams must resist sliding along the foundation.
Dams must resist overturning (toppling) due to
water pressure.
Engineers use a safety factor to ensure
resisting forces/moments > destabilizing ones.
Example: For a simple gravity dam of height H,
base width B ≈ 0.8H ensures stability.
Leeve and Dikes
Human-made earthen embankment or wall built
parallel to a river or coastline to protect land from
flooding.
Levee is a barrier along rivers to contain floodwaters.
Dikes protect the land below sea level or around water
bodies; also used for wetlands or fishponds.
Proportional to height, wide enough for stability and
access.
Water seeping through or under the levee can wash
away soil, causing a catastrophic breach. Relief wells
and drainage systems are used to manage this.
The Netherlands' Dike System a world-renowned
system that protects a large portion of the country
that is below sea level.
Floodwalls
A floodwall is a vertical, concrete
wall.
It serves the same purpose as a levee
to prevent a river from overflowing.
Floodwalls are typically used in
urban areas because they require
less space than earthen levees.
They are more expensive to build
than levees but are more compact.
Detention and
Retention Basins
Detention basins are dry basins that
temporarily hold stormwater during a
storm.
They slowly release the water afterward to
reduce downstream flow.
Retention basins are designed to hold a
permanent body of water, like a pond or
small lake.
They manage runoff by slowly releasing
excess water.
Both types of basins reduce the speed and
volume of water flowing downstream.
Spillway and Weirs
A spillway is a channel that safely releases
water from a dam's reservoir when the
water level becomes too high.
It functions as a safety valve to prevent the
dam from failing due to overtopping.
A weir is a small dam built across a river.
Its purpose is to slightly raise the water
level and regulate the flow.
Weirs help create a more controlled and
uniform flow for better river management.
Mechanical
Components &
Utilities in Flood
Control
Drainage Pumps and Pumping Stations
Pump excess stormwater from low-lying or Thames Barrier pumping
enclosed areas where gravity flow is stations in London.
insufficient.
Often automated with water level sensors
and emergency power supply to ensure
continuous function during storms.
Drainage Pumps and Pumping Stations
Types of Pumps
Centrifugal pumps –
high flow rates,
widely used.
Axial flow pumps – suitable for
very large water volumes at low
head.
Submersible pumps – compact,
placed directly in sumps or drainage
pits.
Floodgates, Sluice Gates, and Valves
Floodgates New Orleans Hurricane and Storm
Damage Risk Reduction System
Large gates that control water entry from
rivers, seas, or reservoirs into flood-prone
areas.
Prevents backflow during high tide or storm
surge.
Floodgates, Sluice Gates, and Valves
Sluice Gates
Vertically sliding gates used in canals, rivers,
and drainage channels.
Control discharge and maintain desired
water levels.
Operated manually, hydraulically, or
electrically.
Floodgates, Sluice Gates, and Valves
Valves
Installed in pipelines to regulate flow and
pressure.
Check valves (non-return) stop backflow
from main rivers into drainage networks.
Critical in combined sewer systems to
prevent urban flooding during heavy rainfall.
Inflatable Rubber Dams
Flexible cylindrical rubber structures
anchored across rivers or streams, inflated
with air or water.
Raised when water needs to be impounded
for irrigation or water supply.
Deflated quickly during floods to allow free
water passage.
Cheaper and faster to construct compared
to concrete dams.
Easily adjustable, requiring less maintenance.
Role of Mechanical Systems in Flood Management
Provide active control of water movement, unlike passive infrastructure (e.g., dikes).
Enable timely diversion and storage of floodwaters.
Protect communities by preventing backflow, overflow, and prolonged inundation.
Work in integration with civil works (levees, drainage channels) for comprehensive flood
mitigation.
Design Principles
& Engineering
Considerations
Hydrology basics Rainfall–Runoff Relationship
Rainfall is the primary input in the
hydrologic cycle.
Runoff occurs when rainfall exceeds
infiltration and storage capacity.
Influencing factors:
Soil type & saturation
Land cover & slope
Rainfall intensity & duration
Hydraulic design Channel Capacity & Discharge Estimation
Hydraulic design ensures channels can
handle peak flows during heavy rain without
overflowing.
Involves:
Discharge calculation (Q)
Choosing right channel shape & size
Ensuring smooth flow & safety
Hydrology basics Rainfall–Runoff Relationship
Models used:
Rational Method
SCS Curve Number
Unit Hydrograph
Diagram:
Rainfall → Infiltration → Excess Water
→ Surface Runoff → Streamflow
Hydraulic design Channel Capacity & Discharge Estimation
Key Parameters
Peak Discharge (Q):
Rational Method → small catchments
(rainfall, land type, area)
Empirical/Data-based methods →
larger/complex areas
Channel Properties:
Slope → affects water velocity
Roughness (Manning’s n) → smoother =
faster flow
Cross-section → shape & size control
capacity
Hydraulic design Channel Capacity & Discharge Estimation
Equation: Manning’s Equation
Hydraulic design Design Considerations
Freeboard Allowance → extra safety
margin above water level to prevent
overflow.
Sediment Transport & Scour → fast flows
carry soil/sand, may erode channel
sides/bottom.
Overflow & Bypass Channels → alternate
paths to reduce flooding during storms.
⚠️ Goal: Safe, stable, and long-lasting channel
system.
Soil Stability & Structural Safety
Geotechnical Factors
Bearing Capacity & Settlement → soil must support structures without sinking.
Slope Stability → embankments/levees need safe slopes & strong materials.
Seepage Control → filters, drainage, or cut-off walls prevent weakening.
Structural Design
Reinforced Concrete → strong, durable for floodwalls & culverts.
Expansion Joints & Crack Control → prevent damage from pressure &
movement.
Failure Modes
Piping → hidden tunnels weaken soil
foundations.
Erosion → water wears away soil, destabilizes
banks.
Mechanical Reliability –
Pumps & Gates
Components
Pump stations (centrifugal, axial flow)
Sluice gates, flap gates, check valves
Design Criteria
Capacity vs. Peak Flow → must handle
stormwater without overflow
Redundancy & Backup Power → extra
pumps, generators for typhoon outages
Maintenance & Automation → easy
access, sensors, remote controls for
quick response
Common Issues & Risks
Clogging → debris blocking pumps
and gates
Corrosion → damage from constant
water exposure
Power Failure → pumps stop during
blackouts if no backup is provided
CE314 : ENGINEEERING UTILITIES 2
FLOOD
CONTROL
STRATEGIES
I. Modify flooding by structural means:
To reduce losses due Construction of dams, dikes, levees, channel
to flood the strategies alterations, high flow diversions and land treatment.
to be followed can be
stated as follows:
II. Flood forecasting: This is a non-structural measure:
Process of predicting when and where floods will happen,
by using weather and river data to help people prepare and
stay safe.
III. Modify susceptibility to flood damage:
To prevent bad or unwise development in flood-prone areas
called flood plains. Help reduce the damage caused by floods
by encouraging actions like teaching people about floods.
Dam and Reservoirs
Structural measures
The structural measures are aimed to mitigate
flood damage by regulating the movement of Levees
flood water and these include:
Dams, reservoirs and high flow diversions:
To store flood water temporarily or to divert it from Catchment
the area to be protected.
Channel
Channel improvement works:
Increase the carrying capacity of a river channel.
Embankments, levees and flood walls:
Stop the flood water from entering the areas Flood Walls
to be protected.
High flow diversions
Catchment treatments:
To induce holding of water in the catchment
temporarily.
Non-structural measures
The main idea is to keep the general civil
and industrial activities undiminished during
flood which can be ensured by flood forecasting
warning systems, flood regulation through
zoning, emergency plans, modifying building Radar data
codes, flood proofing, disaster preparedness and
assistance.
Automatic rain gauge stations Automatic rain
gauge stations
provide reliable picture of the rainfall events in
the basin.
Radar data
Provide details with regard to movement and
dynamic characteristics of storms on a large scale.
Meteorological satellite data Meteorological
satellite data
A useful input to the forecast is the meteorological
satellite data.
Reduces surface runoff and stores rainwater to
I. lower flood risk by natural infiltration and
retention.
Urban Green Infrastructure Flood Control
Improves water quality by filtering pollutants
II. through wetlands, rain gardens, and vegetated
areas.
Regulates urban microclimate and supports
III. biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem and public
health.
Provides cost-effective flood management, often
IV. cheaper to construct and maintain than
traditional gray infrastructure.
Extends water flow paths and delays peak
V. flooding through spatial design of green spaces
and water bodies.
Real-time flood monitoring using IoT sensors for
I. water levels, rainfall, and soil moisture enables
early warning.
Smart Systems for Flood Control
(IoT sensors, MPC, automated barriers):
Model Predictive Control (MPC) optimizes flood
II. response by predicting flood events and
adjusting controls proactively.
Automated barriers and water regulation
III. systems can be triggered remotely or
automatically based on sensor data.
Low-power long-range communication networks
IV. (e.g., LoRaWAN, NB-IoT) ensure continuous data
flow to control centers.
Enhances decision-making, reduces human
V. workload, and shifts flood management from
reactive to proactive control.
CALCULATION
& SIMPLE
ESTIMATION
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
1 .Detention Basin Sizing (Volume Requirement)
A detention basin is used to temporarily store stormwater and reduce flood
risks downstream.
EXAMPLE PROBLEM:
A storm produces a runoff hydrograph with a peak inflow of 20 m³/s. The downstream
channel can only safely carry 12 m³/s. The storm lasts for 1 hour. Estimate the required
storage volume of the detention basin.
Importance:
Detention basins
Solution reduce peak discharge
Excess flow = inflow – allowable outflow = 20 – 12 = 8 m³/s to downstream rivers
Duration = 1 hour = 3600 s or drainage systems,
Storage volume = Excess flow × time = 8 × 3600 = 28,800 m³ preventing flooding of
urban areas.
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
2.Pump Power Formula
Where:
ρ = water density (1000 kg/m³)
g= gravity (9.81 m/s²)
Q= flow rate (m³/s)
H= pumping head (m)
η= pump efficiency (decimal
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
Importance:
Pumps are crucial when
stormwater must be lifted
(low-lying areas, flood-prone
cities). Engineers must size
pumps correctly to avoid
system failure during heavy
rainfall.
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
3. Rational Method for Peak Flow
Where:
C = runoff coefficient (dimensionless)
i = rainfall intensity (mm/hr, converted to m/s)
A = drainage area (hectares or km², converted to m²)
CALCULATION & SIMPLE ESTIMATION
Importance:
This simple formula helps
engineers estimate
stormwater runoff from
rainfall, which is the basis for
designing culverts, drains,
detention basins, and flood
channels.
EXAMPLES &
CASE STUDIES
Philippine Case Studies CASE I
Metro Manila Flood Management Plan
Joint project: DPWH, MMDA,
World Bank
Rehabilitation of drainage &
pumping stations
Solid waste management &
relocation of settlers
Philippine Case Studies CASE II & III
Pampanga Delta Project
Floodways & diversion channels
Strengthened dikes to protect Central
Luzon farmlands
Cagayan River Basin Project
Dredging & riverbank protection
Early warning systems for disaster readiness
International Benchmark Netherlands
The Netherlands – Delta Works Project
Dams, storm surge barriers, dikes,
levees
Smart floodgates and monitoring
systems
Long-term, proactive planning since
much land is below sea level
Philippines vs. Netherlands’ Flood Control System
REFERENCES:
Sunder, S., & Vipulanandan, C. (2011). Dikes and levees: Classification,
formation, morphology, failure and rehabilitation. Proceedings of the THC-IT
2011 Conference & Exhibition. University of Houston, Center for Innovative
Grouting Materials and Technology (CIGMAT). Retrieved from
https://hurricane.egr.uh.edu/sites/hurricane.egr.uh.edu/files/files/2011/dikes-
and-levees.pdf
THANK YOU!
Ghosh, S. N. (2014). Flood control and drainage engineering (4th ed.). CRC
Press. Retrieved from https://drive.google.com/file/d/1d6gRFq9-
WKHKrTSNFiwW0Tbact4XNah6/view?usp=sharing
Liu, N., & Zhang, F. (2025). Urban green spaces and flood disaster
management: toward sustainable urban design. Frontiers in Public Health, 13.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1583978
World Bank. (2012). Metro Manila flood management master plan. World
Bank & DPWH. https://documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-
reports/documentdetail/971781468299302351/Metro-Manila-flood-
management-master-plan
