Guide bunds or banks

Alluvial rivers in flood plains spread over a very large area during floods and it would
be very costly to provide bridges or any other structure across the entire natural
spread. It is necessary to narrow down and restrict its course to flow axially through
the diversion structure. Guide bunds are provided for this purpose of guiding the river
flow past the diversion structure without causing damage to it and its approaches.
They are constructed on either or both on the upstream and downstream of the
structure and on one or both the flanks as required.
Groynes or Spurs
Groynes or spurs are constructed transverse to the river flow extending from the bank
into the river. This form of river training works performs one or more functions such as
training the river along the desired course to reduce the concentration of flow at the
point of attack, creating a slack flow for silting up the area in the vicinity and
protecting the bank by keeping the flow away from it.
Classification of Groynes or spurs
Groynes or spurs are classified according to (i) the method and materials of
construction (ii) the height of spur with respect to water level (iii) function to be
performed and (iv) special types which include the following:
These are
(i) Permeable or impermeable
(ii) Submerged or non-submerged
(iii) Attracting, deflecting repelling and sedimenting and
(iv) T-shaped (Denehey), hockey (or Burma) type, kinked type, etc.