Scour

Scour Assessment - Colorado River Aqueduct, California

E&H was commissioned by Metropolitan Water District to determine the cause of degradation of the Whitewater River, California, and to design erosion protection for the Colorado River Aqueduct pipeline crossing. Investigation of the degradation and preparation of sustainable fluvial designs to protect the pipeline against exposure were approached from a geomorphic analysis point of view. The catchment baseline and geomorphic investigation revealed that degradation was present throughout the watershed. The main cause of degradation was channel straightening and confinement, particularly on the historical alluvial fan. The MIKE 11 sediment transport model allowed for an understanding of a sediment balance and a degradation rate was calculated. Additionally E&H calculated single-storm scour depths at the crossing. These specific steps allowed E&H to define the problem before designing the appropriate erosion protection at the site.

Engineering - Science - Sustainable Solutions