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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #301209
Title: Stepping up research efforts

Author
item Hunt, Sherry
item Kadavy, Kem

Submitted to: Trade Journal Publication
Publication Type: Trade Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/10/2013
Publication Date: 1/15/2014
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/58308
Citation: Hunt, S., Kadavy, K.C. 2014. Stepping up research efforts. International Water Power & Dam Construction. 66(1):20-22. http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/39cf5a26#/39cf5a26/3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the principal in-house research agency within the USDA. The USDA-ARS provides research for finding solutions to agricultural problems. The Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit (HERU) within the USDA-ARS provides research in support of the USDA Small Watershed Program. This program, administered by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), has provided financial and technical assistance for the construction of more than 11,000 flood control dams. This article describes the development of design guidelines for the use of hydraulic structures for flood control and embankment overtopping protection, specifically stepped chutes applied to embankment dams. Relationships for determining air entrainment, flow depth, clear-water flow depth, average air concentration, and energy coefficient parameters have been developed. This research is expected to provide helpful tools in the design of stepped chutes applied to slopes ranging from 10 to 30 degrees.