SPILLWAY
A spillway is a structure used to provide the
controlled release of flows from a dam into a
downstream area, typically the riverbed of the
dammed river itself. In the United Kingdom, they
may be known as overflow channels. Spillways
ensure that the water does not overflow and
damage or destroy the dam.
Floodgates and fuse plugs may be designed into
spillways to regulate water flow and reservoir
level. Such a spillway can be used to regulate
downstream flows – by releasing water in small
amounts before the reservoir is full.
Some dams are constructed with two spillways; a
Primary Spillway and an Auxiliary Spillway. A
Primary Spillway or Main Spillway is designed to
carry out almost all of the excess water of the dam
and is being frequently. An Auxiliary Spillway or
Emergency Spillway is designed to carry excess
water which the primary spillway can’t, this
spillway may only be used or operated when there
is a huge surplus of water in the reservoir which the
primary spillway can’t handle.
LOCATION OF SPILLWAY
A Spillway may be generally located in two places;
Within or On the Dam itself, or
Separately from the dam
CLASSIFICATION OF SPILLWAYS
A Spillway may be classified into two kinds; the Controlled Spillway and the Uncontrolled
Spillway.
Controlled Spillway
Utilize mechanical structures or gates to control the flow of water. This design allows for the full
height of the dam to be utilized for water storage all year round. In addition the flood waters may
be released at any time if required.
Uncontrolled Spillway
These Spillways does not utilize gates. Instead it only releases water from the reservoir if the
water within that reservoir exceeds the crest of the spillway. The rate of discharge is only
determined by the depth of water within the reservoir.
TYPES OF SPILLWAY
Drop Spillway
It is a low weir and simple vertical fall type structure
where the water freely drops down from the crest under
the force of gravity. To prevent scouring at the
downstream, an artificial pool is to be constructed at the
place of fall of water.
Overflow Spillway
Also known as Ogee Spillway, it is an improved form of the
drop spillway due to the overflow water being guided
smoothly over the crest.
Chute Spillway
Also known as Open Channel Spillway, Used for earthen and
rockfill dams or dams with easily erodible nature of stream
bed. It discharges excess water through a sloped open
channel.
Side Channel Spillway
Spillway which a control weir is placed approximately parallel to the upper portion of the dam.
Best suited for non-rigid dams like earthen dams.
Shaft Spillway
Also known as a Morning Glory Spillway. In this type of
Spillway, water from the reservoir enters into a vertical shaft
which conveys the water into a horizontal tunnel which
finally discharges the water downstream. Used if the dam is
not suitable for the spillway type.
Siphon Spillway
It consist of a Siphon pipe whose inlet is just below the
normal water level of the dam and the outlet is directed
toward the downstream. Its uses the principle of Siphonic
Action.
COMPONENTS OF SPILLWAY
Approach Channel
Entrance Structure or the path to draw water from the
reservoir and convey it to the control structure. It may be
straight or curved.
Control Structure
Regulates and Controls the Surplus of water from the reservoir.
Discharge Carrier
It is a waterway provided to convey the flows released
by the control Structure to the downstream side of the
spillway.
Discharge Channel
Provided to convey the water from the bottom of the
discharge carrier to the downstream flow.
Energy Dissipators
At the end of discharge carrier, the water released form the control structure has great velocities
enough to cause scour. Thus the energy dissipators are provided to avoid scouring. These reduce
the energy of the water to avoid damages.
The following are the different types of dissipators
1. Bucket type – reduces energy of the water by causing it to hydraulic jump
2. Stilling basin type – reduces energy further by providing a pool of water where the
hydraulic jump lands
3. Baffle type – reduces energy by providing step like structures along the spillway
DESIGN CONSIDERATION
Capacity of the Reservoir
One major consideration is the reservoirs capacity, this will determine the size and
number of spillway to be constructed. This may also determine the construction of
an auxiliary spillway.
Downstream Condition
This is considered to prevent the damage of the downstream river. If the
downstream river is easily erodible, it is important to provide energy dissipators.
