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Research by two Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology civil engineering
professors that showcases the hydraulic forces that cause low-head dams
to become hazardous situations for river and stream travelers has been
featured in a cover story in the February issues of CE News magazine, a
publication that covers the business of civil engineering.
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Cover Story Co-Authors: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Civil
Engineering Professors Robert Houghtalen (left) and Michael Robinson
co-authored "Dangerous Dams: Removal or Retrofitting Improves Public
Safety at Low-Head Dams", the cover story of CE News magazine's February
issue. |
“Dangerous Dams: Removal or Retrofitting Improves Public Safety at
Low-Head Dams” was co-authored by Civil Engineering Chair Robert
Houghtalen and Assistant Professor Michael Robinson, with assistance
from students that participated in Rose-Hulman's Engineering Forensics
Research Institute (EFRI).
Most civil engineers are unaware that low-head dams have fundamental
hydraulic principles that present a danger to the public, according to
Houghtalen. Despite educational efforts by many dam safety and
recreational boating organizations, low-head dams continue to be the
site of numerous drowning deaths each year. For example, at least 18
people have died at the Glen Palmer Dam on the Fox River, near
Yorkville, Ill., during the past 25 years.
Properly designing new low-head dams and retrofitting existing
structures can eliminate the risks to the public and liability to dam
owners. However, unfortunately, removing or retrofitting low-head dams
to eliminate the dangerous water flow patterns is often a low priority
for many states, Robinson states.
Low-head dams were constructed in the 19th century to harness water to
turn a water wheel to operate mills. Now, low-head dams are used as
river diversions for open-channel irrigation and power plant cooling
water, for recreational purposes, and often incorporated as hydraulic
control structures in stream drainage and flood control channels.
Pennsylvania officials have documented approximately 250 low-head dams,
but estimate that more than 2,000 dams in the state could exhibit
hazardous flow patterns, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notes that
low-head dams make up a majority of the 1,700 dams in Ohio.
"As prevalent features of our nation's infrastructure, civil engineers
need to be aware of the risks to the public these (low-head dams)
present," states Houghtalen. "By either removing the structure or
retrofitting the spillway, the threat to public safety can be
eliminated."
The CE News article has caused several engineers to write emails to
Houghtalen and Robinson –- thanking the professors for bringing the
issue to public attention.
“I have always had some inkling as to what forces were at work in this
experience and now have a very good understanding after reading your
very informative article. Thanks for your good works on a rarely
discussed problem,” wrote Erich Schmitt of Highland Survey Associates
(Md.). He had a childhood encounter with a low-head dam. "I was a very
strong swimmer and had very little concern on the way down (on the other
side of the dam)," he stated. "After the splash, though, I struggled
mightily and was repeatedly sucked back into the base of the dam . . . I
suddenly quit struggling and the water just 'flushed' me out of the
problem area and all was well."
Karl Visser, an engineer with Clark Dietz, Inc., in Champaign, Ill.,
informed Houghtalen and Robinson about a 2003 river incident near
Danville, Ill., which killed one person.
"I applaud your efforts in educating and publicizing this issue," Visser
stated.
Robert Goo, an engineer who is an active kayaker/canoeist, added, "The
idea of influencing the engineering community to design these low-head
dams both for safety and aquatic species passage is a sound one and I
encourage you (Houghtalen/Robinson) to continue pursuing this agenda."
Co-authors of the article were Cole Marr, Anita Rogers and Anizka
Garcia, who were participants in a summer Research Experience for
Undergraduates program sponsored by EFRI and the National Science
Foundation. EFRI is coordinated by civil engineering professor Kevin
Sutterer. Hyung-Jung Chang of the Office of Public Relations helped
provide illustrations that were published in the magazine.
CE News has 50,000 subscribers throughout the world. An electronic
version of the article is available at
www.cenews.com/article.asp?id=1545 | 
