E. C. Jamieson

3D Flow and Sediment Dynamics in a Laboratory Channel Bend with and without Stream Barbs

AbstractA series of laboratory flume experiments were performed to study the effect of stream barbs on flow field dynamics and sediment erosion in a 135° mobile-bed channel bend. Stream barbs (also known as spur dikes or submerged groynes) are low-profile linear rock features that redirect high velocity flow away from the outer bank of channel bends. Unlike emergent groynes, the submerged nature of these structures creates a unique combination of horizontal shear (plunging type flow) and vertical shear (at the groyne tip). Spatially dense, high frequency velocity data were collected and analyzed to describe the pattern and magnitude of three-dimensional (3D) velocity throughout the bend and in the vicinity of the stream barbs. This paper demonstrates that the outer bank region (particularly between barbs) may still be at risk of erosion (or even increased erosion greater than the same case without barbs) if stream barbs generate excessive secondary velocities (because of their size and layout) that are op...

Monte Carlo Approach for Uncertainty Analysis of Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Discharge Measurement by Moving Boat

AbstractThis paper presents a method using Monte Carlo simulations for assessing uncertainty of moving-boat acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) discharge measurements using a software tool known as QUant, which was developed for this purpose. Analysis was performed on 10 data sets from four Water Survey of Canada gauging stations in order to evaluate the relative contribution of a range of error sources to the total estimated uncertainty. The factors that differed among data sets included the fraction of unmeasured discharge relative to the total discharge, flow nonuniformity, and operator decisions about instrument programming and measurement cross section. As anticipated, it was found that the estimated uncertainty is dominated by uncertainty of the discharge in the unmeasured areas, highlighting the importance of appropriate selection of the site, the instrument, and the user inputs required to estimate the unmeasured discharge. The main contributor to uncertainty was invalid data, but spatial inh...

Three-dimensional Flow In A Barb Field

Barbs (or submerged groynes) are low-profile linear rock structures that are primarily used to prevent the erosion of stream banks. They are a variation of a groyne, similar to spur dikes and bendway weirs. Barbs are typically anchored, in series, to the outside bank in stream bends and extend in an upstream direction from the bank into the flow. This configuration redirects flow away from the outer stream bank and disrupts the velocity gradient close to the outer bank, encouraging sediment deposition adjacent to the barb. These interactions between the flow pattern and the sediment transport around the barb prevent erosion of the bank. Furthermore, vortices generated by the barb create local scour holes that can enhance aquatic habitat. A three-dimensional numerical model, Sediment Simulation in Intakes with Multiblock option (SSIIM), was used to examine the turbulent flow field and associated scour and depositional patterns due to a series of barbs in a mobile-bed channel bend. Previous physical model observations were used for model calibration and verification. Barb design was optimized to minimize scour. The parameters considered in the optimization were channel bend angle, barb alignment angle, and barb spacing. In this paper the spatial distribution of the three-dimensional flow field through a series of barbs in a 90o channel bend are mapped and the impact on the flow field of subtle differences in barb geometry are examined. Special emphasis is placed on the influence of barb design on secondary currents in the meander bend and the generation of three-dimensional vortices, and the consequent impact on scour.

Design of stream barbs for field scale application at Sawmill Creek, Ottawa.

A three-dimensional numerical model Simulation in Intakes with Multiblock option (SSIIM) was used to model the effects of placing a series of barbs along an unstable section of Sawmill Creek, a small urban stream in the city of Ottawa, Canada. Stream barbs (a type of submerged groyne) are low-profile linear rock structures that prevent the erosion of stream banks by redirecting high velocity flow away from the bank. As they can be built at a relatively low cost and also provide significant ecological benefit, these structures are an important and relatively new method of stream bank protection. The numerical model was used to assess various design alternatives for a series of seven stream barbs at two consecutive channel bends requiring stabilization measures along their outer banks. Design criteria were principally based on the goals of reducing local velocities, shear stress and subsequent erosion at the outside bank of each bend, and on moving the thalweg away from the (existing) outside bank regions towards the centre of the channel. This paper reports on (i) the unique site conditions and environmental protection requirements, (ii) the results of the numerical simulation, and (iii) the design methodology.

Stream barb performance in a semi-alluvial meandering channel

A series of seven stream barbs were installed at two consecutive channel bends in Sawmill Creek, a semi-alluvial stream located in Ottawa, Canada. Stream barbs (also known as submerged groynes) are low-profile linear rock structures that extend from the outside bank regions of channel bends in an upstream direction, to redirect the attacking currents and prevent erosion of the bank. As well as providing bank protection, these structures promote vegetated stream banks, create resting pools and scour holes for fish habitat, and increase biodiversity for aquatic species. Despite these benefits, because of their relative novelty as river training structures, stream barbs are not a common means of stream bank protection in Canada and are possibly non-existent for semi-alluvial or clay channels. Three years of monitoring and measurement of flow conditions (discharge, water velocity and depth) and bathymetry, before (2 years) and after (1 year) the construction of the barbs, have been collected at the Sawmill Creek study site, providing valuable data for understanding their performance in a semi-alluvial channel. Sawmill Creek has a predominately clay bed and banks, presenting a rare opportunity to study the unique dynamics between flow and sediment transport within a clay channel. This paper reports on (i) the unique site conditions and monitoring methodology; (ii) preliminary results of the 3 year monitoring program; and (iii) recommendations for future design and implementation of these structures.