Grassed waterways are natural or constructed channels shaped to required dimensions and lined with suitable vegetation for stable conveyance of runoff.
Grassed waterways are natural or constructed channels shaped to required dimensions and lined with suitable vegetation for stable conveyance of runoff. Grass-lined water conveyance channels are widely used to convey excess runoff water where flows are of a sufficiently short duration to allow the grass to withstand the inundation period and operation is sufficiently infrequent to allow healthy grass cover to be maintained.
This type of channel may be used for diversions, spillways, and floodways, as well as for waterways to convey local runoff. A constructed waterway is designed to carry the estimated flow without damage to the waterway or its lining, and should be planned and designed to fit the conditions of a particular site.
Topics:
Introduction
Assessment of suitability
Legal/regulatory considerations
Planning and preliminary design considerations
Location
Slope
Cross-section shape
Vegetation
Outlets
Sediment control
Data collection
Design process
Initial design parameters: slope, discharge, section, and lining
Conditions for stability
Sizing channel sections
Use of the design tables for parabolic and trapezoidal channels
Layout and construction
Appurtenant structures
Site preparation
Excavation
Filter fabric barriers
Post-construction protection of channel lining
Maintenance
Removal of sediment
Repair work
Intended Audience: This course is intended for Water Resources, Civil, Environmental, Transportation, and other engineers whose job description requires a general knowledge of grass-lined or vegetative water conveyance channel design.
Publication Source: USDA (Natural Resources Conservation Service)