Hydraulic Structure II (2024)
School of Civil and
Dr. Daneal F.Sillassie Environmental Engineering
Flood Protection Methods
Flash flood in Addis Ababa
Flood Protection Methods
Floods in Ethiopia
Flood Protection Methods
• This course Lecture focuses on flood protection methods,
equipping you with the knowledge to design and
implement strategies that minimize flood risk.
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Protection Methods
Introduction to Flood Protection:
i. Importance of Flood Control and Mitigation:
Floods are natural disasters causing significant damage to:
• Communities: Loss of life, displacement, disruption of
livelihoods, damage to homes and businesses.
• Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, power grids, communication
networks can be destroyed or rendered inoperable.
• Environment: Erosion, contamination of water supplies,
destruction of natural habitats.
• Flood control aims to reduce flood occurrence and severity,
while mitigation reduces the impact of floods that do occur.
Flood Protection Methods
What is flood control?
What is flood mitigation?
• Flood control and mitigation are essential to protect lives,
property, and the environment.
• Effective flood management can prevent loss of life, reduce
economic losses, and minimize environmental damage.
• Flood control involves the implementation of measures and
structures designed to control the flow and storage of
floodwaters to prevent or minimize flooding in certain areas.
Examples
• Structural Measures: Dams, reservoirs, levees, flood walls,
dikes, and embankments.
• Infrastructure Projects: River channelization or diversion
projects to guide water away from vulnerable areas.
Flood Protection Methods
Focus
• The focus is on controlling the floodwaters, typically
through the construction of physical barriers and other
structures.
• The primary aim is to prevent floodwaters from reaching
and damaging specific areas.
Limitations
• Flood control structures can sometimes fail if they are not
properly designed, maintained, or if the flood event
exceeds design capacity.
• Such projects can be expensive and may have significant
environmental impacts (e.g., altering river flow, affecting
fish migration).
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Mitigation
Definition
• Flood mitigation encompasses a broader set of measures
aimed at reducing the severity of flood impacts and the
vulnerability of communities and infrastructure.
Examples
• Non-Structural Measures: Land-use planning and zoning,
early warning systems, community education, and
insurance.
• Natural Solutions: Restoring wetlands, planting trees, and
protecting natural floodplains.
Flood Protection Methods
Focus
• The focus is on reducing the overall impact of flooding
through preparedness and resilience.
• It involves addressing the root causes of flooding and the
potential consequences of flood events.
Limitations
• Flood mitigation measures can require changes in existing
land use and development practices, which may face
resistance from stakeholders.
• These measures might take time to show results and
require long-term planning and commitment.
Flood Protection Methods
Comparison
• Goal: Both flood control and flood mitigation aim to
manage and reduce the impacts of flooding.
• Scope: Flood control primarily focuses on managing water
flow and keeping it away from vulnerable areas, while flood
mitigation encompasses a broader range of strategies that
aim to lessen the overall impact of flooding.
• Approach: Flood control often relies on physical structures,
while flood mitigation uses a combination of structural,
non-structural, and natural approaches.
• Resilience: Flood mitigation tends to emphasize community
resilience and long-term planning, while flood control
emphasizes immediate protection.
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Protection Methods
ii. The Impact of Flooding on Communities, Infrastructure,
and the Environment
• Flooding can have devastating impacts on communities,
infrastructure, and the environment, including:
• Communities: Loss of life, damage to homes and
businesses, displacement of residents, and increased
insurance costs.
• Infrastructure: Damage to roads, bridges, and utilities such
as water and power supply lines, causing disruption in
essential services.
• Environment: Erosion, water contamination, and loss of
biodiversity due to habitat destruction.
Flood Protection Methods
Structural Flood Control Measures
i. Dams and Reservoirs:
• Function: Dams and reservoirs control the flow of water in
rivers and streams, store water for future use, and reduce
the peak flow of floods downstream.
• Example: Consider a river basin with a catchment area of
100 km². Assume the average rainfall intensity is 50
mm/hour, and the dam has a capacity of 5 million cubic
meters. Estimate the time it will take for the dam to reach
full capacity if there is no outflow from the dam.
Flood Protection Methods
Solution:
• Calculate the total volume of rain falling in the
catchment area:
– Volume of rain = catchment area × rainfall intensity
– Volume of rain = 100 km² × 50 mm/hour
– Convert km² to m² and mm to m: 100 km² = 100,000,000
m²; 50 mm = 0.05 m
– Volume of rain = 100,000,000 m² × 0.05 m = 5,000,000
m³
• Given the dam's capacity is 5 million cubic meters, it
will reach full capacity in one hour without any
outflow.
Flood Protection Methods
Structural Flood Control Measures
ii. Flood Walls and Levees:
• Function: Flood walls and levees are raised structures along
riverbanks designed to prevent water from overflowing into
adjacent land.
• Example: Consider a levee built along a river to protect a
town. The levee is 5 km long and 4 m high, and the flood
level is 3 m. Calculate the volume of water that the levee
can hold back during a flood event.
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Protection Methods
Solution:
• The volume of water the levee can hold back is the cross-
sectional area of the levee times its length.
• Cross-sectional area = height of the levee × width
(assuming the width is 4 m)
• Cross-sectional area = 4 m × 4 m = 16 m²
• Volume of water = cross-sectional area × length of levee
• Volume of water = 16 m² × 5,000 m = 80,000 m³
Flood Protection Methods
B. Structural Flood Control Measures
iii. Embankments and Dikes:
• Function: Embankments and dikes are elevated structures
built along rivers and coastlines to prevent flooding.
• Example: An embankment is built to protect agricultural
land. If the embankment is 2 m high and the width at the
base is 3 m, calculate the area of land protected by the
embankment.
Flood Protection Methods
Solution:
Calculate the protected area:
• Length of embankment needed to protect the agricultural
land = protected area / height of embankment
• Assume the area of land protected is a square plot of 100
hectares.
• Convert hectares to square meters: 100 hectares =
1,000,000 m²
• Length of embankment = square root of area protected =
√1,000,000 m² = 1,000 m
• Therefore, the embankment protects an area of 1,000 m ×
1,000 m = 1,000,000 m² (or 100 hectares).
Flood Protection Methods
Non-Structural Flood Control Techniques
i. Land-Use Planning:
• Function: Land-use planning involves regulating land
development to reduce vulnerability to flooding, such as
creating buffer zones along water bodies and enforcing
zoning laws.
• Example: A town plans to expand its urban area. By
strategically placing green spaces (e.g., parks) around flood-
prone areas, the town can reduce runoff and increase
infiltration.
Flood Protection Methods
Non-Structural Flood Control Techniques
Solution:
• Estimate the reduction in runoff if the town establishes a
green space equivalent to 20% of the flood-prone area:
• Assuming the town's flood-prone area is 50 hectares, the
green space will cover 10 hectares.
• This 10-hectare green space can reduce the runoff
coefficient from 0.6 (urban area) to 0.2 (green space).
• Therefore, the reduced runoff is 20% of 50 hectares = 10
hectares with a runoff coefficient reduction of 0.4 (0.6 -
0.2).
• This reduction translates to a significant decrease in
flooding potential.
Flood Protection Methods
Non-Structural Flood Control Techniques
ii. Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems:
• Function: Flood forecasting and early warning systems
provide advance notice of potential flood events, allowing
communities to prepare and evacuate as needed.
• Example: Consider a river basin where a flood forecasting
system predicts a flood crest in 6 hours. What steps should
be taken to mitigate the effects of the flood?
Flood Protection Methods
Non-Structural Flood Control Techniques
ii. Flood Forecasting and Early Warning Systems:
• Solution:
• The town should issue a flood warning to residents and
prepare for evacuation if necessary.
• Emergency responders should be on standby, and shelters
should be set up.
• Authorities should monitor the river level and be prepared
to close roads and bridges if needed.
• Residents in low-lying areas should evacuate, secure their
homes, and move valuable possessions to higher ground.
• Critical infrastructure such as hospitals and power stations
should be protected, and backup power should be available.
Flood Protection Methods
Embankment vs. Levee vs. Dike vs. Flood Wall: A Comparison for Flood
Protection
• These terms are all associated with flood protection, but with subtle
differences:
Function: All four aim to create a barrier against floodwaters.
Structure:
• Embankment: A broad, elongated mound of earth or other compacted
material. Can be natural (e.g., a natural hill) or man-made. Used for various
purposes, including flood protection, but not exclusively.
• Levee: A linear earthen embankment specifically built alongside rivers or
lakes to contain floodwaters. Often large-scale, protecting entire
communities or agricultural areas.
• Dike: Similar to a levee but typically smaller in size and scope. Often used for
localized protection of specific facilities, agricultural fields, or coastlines. May
be built with different materials like earth, rock, or even sandbags.
• Flood Wall: A vertical, rigid structure made of concrete, steel, or other solid
materials. Provides a more permanent and higher level of flood protection
Flood Protection Methods
Choosing the Right Option:
• The best choice depends on factors like:
• Flood risk level: Flood walls offer the most protection for
high-risk areas.
• Cost: Earthen embankments are generally cheaper than
flood walls.
• Environmental impact: Levees can have a significant
impact on natural habitats.
• Land availability: Flood walls require less space than
embankments.
Flood Protection Methods
Additional Points:
• Levees and dikes often require additional features like
drainage systems to prevent waterlogging behind the
barrier.
• Flood walls can reflect wave energy, potentially causing
erosion on the opposite bank.
• Combining these methods with non-structural measures
like flood forecasting provides a comprehensive flood
protection strategy.
Flood Protection Methods
Feature Embankment Levee Dike Flood Wall
Primary Multipurpose (flood Flood Protection Flood Protection Flood Protection
Purpose protection, roadbeds, etc.) (large-scale) (localized) (high-level)
Material Earth, rock, or combination Earth Earth, rock, sandbags Concrete, steel, etc.
Size Variable Large Small to medium Variable
Temporary or
Permanence Variable Permanent permanent Permanent
Cost Relatively low Moderate Low to moderate High
Environmental Can disrupt natural Can disrupt Less disruptive than Minimal impact on
Impact drainage ecosystems levees existing ground
Flood Protection Methods
Definition and Types of Floods
• Definition: A flood is an overflow of water that submerges
land not normally underwater, causing damage to
infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities.
Types of Floods:
1. Riverine Floods: Occur when rivers overflow their banks
due to excessive rainfall or snowmelt over a prolonged period.
Common in large river basins (e.g., Awash River).
2. Flash Floods: Rapid-onset floods caused by intense rainfall
over a short duration, often in hilly or urban areas with poor
drainage. Highly destructive due to speed and
unpredictability.
Flood Protection Methods
Definition and Types of Floods
• Definition: A flood is an overflow of water that submerges
land not normally underwater, causing damage to
infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities.
Types of Floods:
3. Urban Floods: Result from heavy rainfall overwhelming urban
drainage systems, exacerbated by impervious surfaces (e.g.,
asphalt, concrete). Prevalent in cities like Addis Ababa.
4. Coastal Floods: Caused by storm surges, high tides, or sea-
level rise, affecting coastal regions. Less relevant to landlocked
Ethiopia but included for completeness.
• Role in Hydraulic Engineering: Understanding flood types
informs the design of tailored protection measures, such as
levees for riverine floods or drainage systems for urban
Flood Protection Methods
• Urban Flood
Flood Protection Methods
• Riverine Floods:
Flood Protection Methods
Riverine Floods in Ethiopia
Flood Protection Methods
Flash flood
Flood Protection Methods
Coastal Flood
Flood Protection Methods
Causes of Flooding: Floods result from a combination of
natural and anthropogenic factors, often interacting to
amplify risk.
Natural Causes:
• Heavy Rainfall: Intense or prolonged rainfall exceeds soil
absorption and drainage capacity, leading to runoff and
flooding.
• Snowmelt: Rapid melting of snow in upstream areas
increases river discharge (less relevant in Ethiopia).
• Tropical Storms/Cyclones: High-intensity storms bring
extreme rainfall, triggering flash or riverine floods.
• Topography: Low-lying areas or steep slopes increase runoff
and flood risk.
Flood Protection Methods
2. Causes of Flooding
Anthropogenic Causes:
• Deforestation: Removal of vegetation reduces soil stability and water
retention, increasing runoff. Common in Ethiopia’s highlands.
• Urbanization: Impervious surfaces (e.g., roads, buildings) prevent
infiltration, overwhelming drainage systems. Rapid urban growth in
Addis Ababa exacerbates this.
• Poor Land-Use Practices: Encroachment on floodplains or wetlands
reduces natural flood storage.
• Climate Change: Alters rainfall patterns, increasing the frequency and
intensity of extreme weather events.
• Dam/Reservoir Mismanagement: Improper release or failure of
hydraulic structures can trigger downstream flooding.
Hydraulic Engineering Perspective: Engineers must account for both
natural and human-induced causes when designing flood protection
systems, using hydrological models to predict flood behavior.
Flood Protection Methods
Impacts of Flooding: Floods have far-reaching consequences
across multiple dimensions:
• Economic Impacts:
– Damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, buildings).
– Loss of agricultural crops and livestock, critical in Ethiopia’s
agrarian economy.
– Disruption of trade and commerce, especially in urban centers.
– High recovery and reconstruction costs.
• Social Impacts:
– Loss of life and injuries.
– Displacement of communities, leading to temporary or permanent
relocation.
– Health risks from waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera) and lack of
clean water.
Flood Protection Methods
Impacts of Flooding: Floods have far-reaching
consequences across multiple dimensions:
• Environmental Impacts:
– Erosion and sedimentation alter riverbeds and ecosystems.
– Pollution from flooded industrial sites or sewage systems.
– Degradation of wetlands and habitats.
• Infrastructural Impacts:
– Damage to hydraulic structures (e.g., dams, levees).
– Failure of transportation networks (roads, railways).
– Disruption of utilities (water supply, electricity).
Hydraulic Engineering Role: Engineers mitigate these
impacts by designing resilient structures and systems to
reduce flood damage and enhance recovery.
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Risk Assessment: Flood risk is the product of three key components:
hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
• Hazard: The probability and magnitude of a flood event, characterized by:
– Flood frequency (e.g., 100-year flood).
– Flood depth, velocity, and duration.
– Tools: Hydrological models (e.g., HEC-HMS), historical data, rainfall-runoff
analysis.
• Exposure: The people, assets, and systems in flood-prone areas, including:
– Population density in floodplains.
– Critical infrastructure (e.g., hospitals, schools).
– Agricultural land and economic assets.
• Vulnerability: The susceptibility of exposed elements to damage,
influenced by:
– Socioeconomic factors (e.g., poverty, lack of preparedness).
– Infrastructure resilience (e.g., building codes, drainage capacity).
– Environmental conditions (e.g., degraded watersheds).
Flood Protection Methods
Flood Risk Assessment: Flood risk is the product of three
key components: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability.
Assessment Process:
• Map flood hazard zones using GIS and hydrological
models.
• Identify exposed populations and assets.
• Evaluate vulnerability through socioeconomic surveys
and infrastructure audits.
• Calculate risk as: Risk = Hazard × Exposure ×
Vulnerability.
Hydraulic Engineering Application: Risk assessments
guide the prioritization of flood protection measures,
Flood Protection Methods
Overview of Flood Protection Methods
• Flood protection methods are categorized into structural and
non-structural approaches, often used in combination for
effective risk management.
• Structural Methods:
– Physical infrastructure designed to control or divert floodwaters.
– Examples:
• Levees/Embankments: Raised barriers along rivers to contain floodwaters
(e.g., Awash River levees).
• Floodwalls: Concrete barriers in urban areas to protect against flooding.
• Detention/Retention Basins: Store excess water to reduce peak flows.
• Drainage Systems: Channels, culverts, and pumps to manage urban runoff.
• Diversion Channels: Redirect floodwaters away from vulnerable areas.
– Advantages: Immediate protection, measurable impact.
– Challenges: High costs, maintenance needs, environmental impacts.
Flood Protection Methods
Overview of Flood Protection Methods
• Flood protection methods are categorized into structural and non-
structural approaches, often used in combination for effective risk
management.
• Non-Structural Methods:
– Strategies to reduce flood risk without physical construction.
– Examples:
• Land-Use Planning: Restricting development in floodplains through zoning.
• Early Warning Systems: Monitoring and alerting communities to impending floods.
• Floodproofing: Elevating buildings or using water-resistant materials.
• Watershed Management: Reforestation and wetland restoration to enhance natural
flood mitigation.
• Public Education: Raising awareness for preparedness and evacuation.
– Advantages: Cost-effective, sustainable, community-focused.
– Challenges: Requires coordination, long-term commitment.
• Hydraulic Engineering Role: Engineers design structural measures and
integrate non-structural strategies to create holistic flood management
plans, balancing cost, effectiveness, and sustainability.
Flood Protection Methods
Relevance to Ethiopia
• Ethiopia faces significant flood risks due to its diverse topography,
climate variability, and socioeconomic challenges. Key flood-prone
areas and issues include:
• Awash River Basin:
– Frequent riverine floods due to heavy rainfall in the highlands.
– Impacts: Damage to agriculture, infrastructure, and settlements.
– Example: 2020 floods displaced thousands and damaged crops.
• Gambela Region:
– Low-lying area prone to riverine and flash floods from the Baro and Akobo
rivers.
– Impacts: Displacement, disruption of livelihoods, and humanitarian crises.
• Urban Flooding in Addis Ababa:
– Caused by rapid urbanization, inadequate drainage, and impervious
surfaces.
– Impacts: Traffic disruption, property damage, and health risks.
Flood Protection Methods
Relevance to Ethiopia
• Ethiopia faces significant flood risks due to its diverse
topography, climate variability, and socioeconomic
challenges. Key flood-prone areas and issues include:
Challenges in Ethiopia:
• Limited hydrological data and monitoring stations.
• Rapid population growth and unplanned urban
expansion.
• Climate change increasing rainfall intensity and
unpredictability.
• Resource constraints for large-scale flood protection
infrastructure.
Flood Protection Methods
Hydraulic Engineering Opportunities:
• Design cost-effective solutions like small-scale detention
basins or improved urban drainage.
• Promote non-structural measures like early warning
systems and watershed management.
• Integrate traditional knowledge (e.g., community-based
flood management) with modern engineering.
Flood Protection Methods
Activities
• Case Study Discussion: 2020 Ethiopia Floods (30 minutes)
– Context: The 2020 floods, driven by heavy seasonal rains, affected over 1
million people across Ethiopia, particularly in Afar, Oromia, and Gambela.
The Awash River overflowed, and urban areas like Addis Ababa faced severe
flooding.
– Causes: Intense rainfall, deforestation, poor urban drainage, and climate
variability.
– Impacts: Over 140,000 displaced, 43 deaths, widespread crop losses, and
infrastructure damage (UN OCHA, 2020).
– Response: Emergency relief, temporary shelters, and limited structural
interventions.
– Discussion Questions:
• What were the primary causes of the 2020 floods, and how did natural and
anthropogenic factors interact?
• How effective were the response measures, and what could have been improved?
• What flood protection strategies could prevent similar impacts in the future?
– Format: Students form small groups to analyze the case and present findings.
Flood Protection Methods
Activities
• Interactive Q&A: Flood-Prone Areas in Ethiopia (20
minutes)
– Objective: Engage students in identifying and discussing local
flood challenges.
– Questions:
• Which areas in Ethiopia are most prone to flooding, and why?
• What are the unique challenges of managing urban vs. rural floods
in Ethiopia?
• How can hydraulic engineers address data scarcity in flood risk
assessments?
– Format: Instructor poses questions, students respond
individually or in pairs, followed by a class discussion.
– Outcome: Students connect theoretical concepts to real-
Flood Protection Methods
