Downstream Flood Inundation Assessment due to Dam Breach of Dudh Koshi
Storage Hydroelectric Project using HEC-RAS 2D
Abstract
Dam breach is rare event in which dam fails releasing impounded water to
downstream regions. Dam breach has low probability of occurrence but
carries high risk of destruction. Dudhkoshi Storage Hydroelectric
Project concrete faced rock fill dam (CFRD) was studied for dam breach
under overtopping and piping failure modes. Dam breach simulation and
flood propagation study is vital for identifying and minimizing the
risks associated with breach flood. Two scenarios namely base-case
scenario with average value of dam breach parameters and worst-case
scenario with value of dam breach parameters resulting in maximum
output. Local and global sensitivity analysis are performed for four dam
breach parameters (dam breach width, breach formation time, weir
coefficient, trigger failure elevation). Sensitivity analysis is
performed for two river profile. Sensitivity on peak discharge, peak
velocity, arrival time and water surface elevation were evaluated.
ArcGIS, HEC-RAS and OriginPro 2022b are used for dam breach analysis.
Overtopping failure was found to be critical as compared to piping mode.