Wre assignment 4

Q1. What are diversion headworks? Why are these required as water resources structures?
Ans. Any hydraulic structure which supplies water to the off-taking canal is called a headwork. A diversion headwork
serves to divert the required supply into the canal from the river.
A diversion headwork serves the following purposes :
1. It raises the water level in the river so that the commanded area can be increased.
2. It regulates the intake of water into the canal.
3. It controls the silt entry into the canal.
4. It reduces fluctuations in the level of supply in the river.
5. It stores water for tiding over small periods of short supplies.

Q2. Differentiate between weirs and barrages. Discuss their types based on various classifications.
Ans.The differences between weirs and barrages are :
1) A weir is an impermeable barrier that is built across a river to raise the water level on the upstream side. Here, the
water level is at the required height and excess water then can flow over the weir.
On the other hand, a barrage involves adjustable gates installed over a dam to maintain the water surface at
different levels and at different times. The water level is adjusted by opening the valves or gates.
2)In a weir , there is no provision for transport communication across the river.
Whereas in a barrage , a rail or a road bridge can be economically and conveniently combined.
3)chances of silting in upstream is more in a weir.
In barrages, silting may be controlled by judicial operation of gates.
4)The barrage is an expensive structure, while the weir is a relatively cheap structure.
5)Barrages are built near cities so that the amount of water flowing in the river can be controlled by opening and
closing the gates to save the city from flooding.
A weir, in contrast, is built, for example, in tourist destinations and preservation areas to allow the fish to swim
upstream.
The different types of weirs based on their classification are:
1)Classification based on Shape of the Opening
a) Rectangular weir:
 It is a standard shape of weir. The top edge of weir may be sharp crested or narrow crested.
 It is generally suitable for larger flowing channels.
 b) Triangular weir:
 The shape of the weir is actually reverse triangle like V. so, it is also called V-notch weir.
 This type of weirs are well suitable for measuring discharge over small flows with greater accuracy.
c)Trapezoidal weir:
 Trapezoidal weir is also called as Cippoletti weir. This is trapezoidal in shape and is the modification of
rectangular weir with slightly higher capacity for same crest strength.
 The sides are inclined outwards with a slope 1:4 (horizontal : vertical)
2)Classification according to shape of the crest:
a)Sharp-crested weir:
 The crest of the weir is very sharp such that the water will springs clear of the crest.
 The weir plate is bevelled at the crest edges to obtain necessary thickness. And weir plate should be made of
smooth metal which is free from rust and nicks.
 Flow over sharp-crested weir is similar as rectangular weir.
b)Broad-crested weir:
 These are constructed only in rectangular shape and are suitable for the larger flows.
 Head loss will be small in case of broad crested weir.
c)Narrow-crested weir:
 It is similar to rectangular weir with narrow shaped crest at the top.
 The discharge over narrow crested weir is similar to discharge over rectangular weir.
d)Ogee-shaped weir:
 Generally ogee shaped weirs are provided for the spillway of a storage dam.
 The crest of the ogee weir is slightly rises and falls into parabolic form.
 Flow over ogee weir is also similar to flow over rectangular weir.
3)Classification based on end contractions:
a) Contracted weir: The crest is cut in the form of notch and then it is similar to rectangular weir. Head loss will
occur in this type.
b) Suppressed weir: The crest is running all the way across the channel so head loss will be negligible.

The different types of barrages are:

 Regulated barrages, which are equipped with machineries like gates or regulated sluiceways to keep the
upstream water level stable.
 Unregulated barrages, when regulation of the upstream water level is not possible.
 Temporary barrages.
Q3. Draw the layout of a diversion head works and show its components. Explain the following terms related to
diversion head works and discuss their function(s):
Main weir/barrage portion,
Under-sluice portion (weir scouring sluices),
Afflux and pond level,
Off-taking canal
Divide wall,
Fish ladder,
Canal head regulator (head sluices),
River training works.

Ans.