Research Article

Method to improve the mitigative effectiveness of a series of check dams against debris flows

  1. Rabindra Osti1,*,
  2. Shinji Egashira2

Article first published online: 16 SEP 2008

DOI: 10.1002/hyp.7118

Issue

Hydrological Processes

Hydrological Processes

Volume 22, Issue 26, pages 4986–4996, 30 December 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Osti, R. and Egashira, S. (2008), Method to improve the mitigative effectiveness of a series of check dams against debris flows. Hydrol. Process., 22: 4986–4996. doi: 10.1002/hyp.7118

Author Information

  1. 1

    International Centre for Water Hazard & Risk Management, Public Work Research Institute, Minamihara 1-6, Tsukuba 305-8516, Japan

  2. 2

    NEWJEC Inc, Japan 2-3-20 Honjo-Higashi, Kita-ku, Osaka 531-0074, Japan

*International Centre for Water Hazard & Risk Management, Public Work Research Institute, Minamihara 1-6, Tsukuba 305-8516, Japan.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 3 DEC 2008
  2. Article first published online: 16 SEP 2008
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 26 JUN 2008
  4. Manuscript Received: 20 FEB 2008

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Keywords:

  • debris flow;
  • check dams;
  • potential storage volume;
  • optimization;
  • San Julian River, Venezuela

Abstract

The advance of technology has led to more competent countermeasures, but lives and properties still continue to suffer from water-induced disasters, such as floods, landslides, and debris flows. To increase the effectiveness of counter systems, improved methods of planning and designing such systems are prerequisite. This paper describes briefly a methodological approach for predicting debris flow characteristics, and proposes techniques for evaluating and improving the mitigative effectiveness of check dams against debris flows in steep mountain torrents. Additionally, a non-dimensional parameter, namely potential storage volume, is introduced to generalize the evaluation processes. As an example, the 1999 debris-flow event in the San Julian River, Venezuela, is chosen for discussion. The paper also proposes a method of evaluating the control function of a series of check dams as well as the criteria for the selection of their sizes, numbers and locations. It is hoped that this work will help to determine which combinations of check dams will fit best together for the optimal control of debris flows and available resources in any river basin. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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