Increasing awareness of hypoxia in coastal marine regions across the globe has led to creation of nutrient reduction strategies to protect water resources and organisms living in affected waters. In the Mississippi River Basin, the Governor’s Action Plan has called for a 45% load reduction of both, total nitrogen (N) and total phosphorus (P), to reduce the Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone to a manageable size. Objectives of this dissertation aimed to determine nutrient reduction efficiencies of low-grade weirs, and to evaluate abundance and composition of microbial communities involved in key processes of denitrification following low-grade weir implementation in the Mississippi Delta. Results of this dissertation evidenced the efficiencies of low-grade weirs to reduce nutrient runoff to downstream waters as a viable BMP. Average median load reductions in N, P, and sediment of -5%, 23%, and 29%, respectively, were determined in ditches with low-grade weirs. Results highlighted more efficient reductions in P and sediment, and greater variability in N reductions during storm events, prompting management considerations toward BMP successes and limitations. Valuable insight towards seasonal nutrient fluxes in agricultural runoff due to spring fertilizer applications, increased rainfall patterns in the winter and spring, and drying-wetting cycles, was also evidenced by the data collected. It was determined that utilizing a three-scale sampling regime was most effective for capturing patterns of microbial community abundance and composition in ditches with low-grade weirs. Preliminary evidence towards weir proximity influencing microbial community abundance, and relationships between microbes and soil carbon and N was also found. Utilizing the three-scale sampling regime, microbial communities in multiple drainage ditches, with and without weirs, were investigated. Outcomes showed that weirs increased soil moisture, which subsequently increased functional gene abundance of 16S rRNA and nirS. Furthermore, weir implementation and associated constructions were not found to directly influence microbial community diversity, abundance, or chemical parameters. Results from this dissertation support the potential benefits of weirs to create suitable environments to physically reduce P and sediment loads and for denitrifying microbes to remediate N from agricultural runoff.

This diploma thesis dealt with the influence of relative weir height of rectangular broad-crested weir on discharge coefficient. Based on the level measurement in front of weir for different heights of the weir P and discharges were determined values of discharge coefficient according h/P. These values were compared with the results of measurements and relationships, which are mentioned in the professional literature. In conclusion were derived new relationships that can be used to calculate the discharge coefficient relative to the overflow head.

This thesis describes the current state of the river Oslava in Oslavany design and reconstruction of the existing fixed weir in the affected location. As a best alternative reconstruction of the existing fixed weir reconstruction was chosen the hard threshold floating weir inflatable weirs. The next part of the thesis describes the proposed solution, and the last part of the thesis deals with the assessment of the proposed solutions.

The diploma thesis deals with the design of the water divider near Prostějov on the Romže River. Divider flows will be transferred into the Hloučela River. Within the thesis, hydraulic calculations of the side spillway were solved according to Bürgel, Pavlosky, Engels, Musterle, Kunštátský, Hager and energy solution methods in the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and by using the HEC-RAS program as well. The calculations were compared to each other. Geometry of the relief water divider on the Romže River and the related buildings was designed based on the performed calculations. The required function of the relief object is guaranteed by manipulation of designed sluice gate. The study includes the text part with the calculations and the drawing part documenting the implementation of the designed measures.

The Diploma Thesis deals with the design of rekonstruction of the controlled weir ´´Prizrenice“ on the river Svratka to a new gate weir structure. The first part focuses on teoretical intro and the processing of data on the area of interest and the selection of appropriate design solution for the reconstruction of the weir, where there are described several types of movable gate. As a part of sollution, there will be design of small hydro power station. At the end of this part the current condition of the buildings and the channel of the Svratka river in the area of interest is evaluated. In the second part, the Thesis deals with the design of the gate weir structure and its subsequent assessment. At first, the solid substructure and the height of the gate is designed and assessed. Subsequently, the stilling basin is designed and in conclusion, the overall stability of the designed structure is assessed.

Este trabalho propõe uma soleira assimétrica elíptica-circular com apenas dois pontos de descontinuidade, com parâmetros geométrico associados à vazão específica de projeto, com possibilidade de padronização e cujas características hidráulicas (linha d´água, pressões, coeficiente de vazão) podem ser determinadas teoricamente. Um sistema de equações diferenciais parciais permite o desenvolvimento de um modelo computacional para determinação dos valores teóricos dessas características. A validação dos valores teóricos das características hidráulicas da soleira por um modelo computacional foi realizada com a confrontação desses mesmos valores obtidos em um modelo físico, permitindo a comparação de pressões, linha d´água, coeficiente de vazão e profundidade crítica. / In this work is proposed an asymmetrical (elliptical-circular) weir with two points of discontinuity only, with geometrical parameters associated to the specific design discharge, allowing the standardization, and whose hydraulic characteristics (water profile, pressures and discharge coefficient) may be theoretically determinate. Their hydraulic characteristics, developed by a system of partial differential equations, system allowing the development of a computational model to determine the theoretical values of the weir hydraulic characteristics. The validation of these theoretical values of the weir hydraulic characteristics, obtained by a computational model, was made by the comparison between the values of water profile, pressures, discharge coefficient and critical depth obtained by the theoretical model and the values obtained by the physical model.

A soleira lateral desempenha um papel importante nos reservatórios de detenção/ retenção (off-line), atuando na captação das vazões afluentes e evitando possíveis enchentes, problema em destaque nos períodos chuvosos das principais capitais brasileiras. Um melhor entendimento do seu comportamento hidráulico possibilitará o desenvolvimento de estruturas laterais mais eficientes. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo criar um modelo da soleira lateral através da tecnologia CFD (Dinâmica dos Fluidos Computacional) e validá-lo através de experimentos em modelo reduzido do Laboratório de Hidráulica da Escola Politécnica da USP. A partir disso, explorar as características hidráulicas do modelo de CFD, como o comportamento dos níveis dágua e a distribuição de velocidades. No estudo da validação estudaram-se três tipos de refinamento de malhas e três modelos de turbulência (k-, k- (RNG) e SST k-). O modelo computacional validado é composto pela malha 3, com um refinamento cerca de 342000 elementos (hexaédricos predominante), e o modelo de turbulência k- (RNG), que apresentaram a maior precisão dos resultados. A análise da distribuição de velocidades possibilitou visualizar uma região de mínima velocidade abaixo da soleira lateral, e também quantificar uma região de baixas velocidades no início da soleira, onde é pequena a eficiência das vazões escoadas. Através do comportamento da superfície dágua foi possível visualizar a região de influência do dispositivo lateral no canal principal. A comparação do coeficiente de descarga do modelo de CFD com trabalhos de outros pesquisadores, um nacional e outro internacional, mostrou a representatividade do modelo criado para condições diferentes. A ferramenta CFD é promissora para o estudo de estruturas hidráulicas, contribuindo para o seu desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento. / The side weir plays an important role in the detention / retention tanks (off-line), operating in the uptake of water inflow and preventing possible flooding, which is a highlighted problem on rainy periods of the main Brazilian capitals. A better understanding of the hydraulic behavior allows the development of more efficient lateral structures. This work aims at creating a model of the side weir through CFD technology (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and validating it through experiments on a reduced model of the Laboratório de Hidráulica da Escola Politécnica da USP. Thereafter, explore the hydraulic characteristics of the CFD model, like the behavior of water levels and the velocity distribution. In the validation study, three types of mesh refinement and three turbulence models were studied (k-, k- (RNG) and SST k-). The computational model is validated by the composite mesh 3 with a refinement about 342,000 elements (hexahedral predominant), and the turbulence model k- (RNG), which had the highest precision of results. Analysis of the velocities distribution allowed us to visualize a region of minimum velocity below the side weir, and also to quantify a region of low velocities at the beginning of the weir, where the efficiency of overflows is small. Through water surface behavior it was possible to visualize the influence region of the side device in the main channel. A comparison of discharge coefficient of the CFD model between other works (one national and the other one international) showed the representativeness of the model created for different conditions. The CFD is a promising tool for the study of hydraulic structures, contributing to its development and improvement.

Este trabalho propõe uma soleira assimétrica elíptica-circular com apenas dois pontos de descontinuidade, com parâmetros geométrico associados à vazão específica de projeto, com possibilidade de padronização e cujas características hidráulicas (linha d´água, pressões, coeficiente de vazão) podem ser determinadas teoricamente. Um sistema de equações diferenciais parciais permite o desenvolvimento de um modelo computacional para determinação dos valores teóricos dessas características. A validação dos valores teóricos das características hidráulicas da soleira por um modelo computacional foi realizada com a confrontação desses mesmos valores obtidos em um modelo físico, permitindo a comparação de pressões, linha d´água, coeficiente de vazão e profundidade crítica. / In this work is proposed an asymmetrical (elliptical-circular) weir with two points of discontinuity only, with geometrical parameters associated to the specific design discharge, allowing the standardization, and whose hydraulic characteristics (water profile, pressures and discharge coefficient) may be theoretically determinate. Their hydraulic characteristics, developed by a system of partial differential equations, system allowing the development of a computational model to determine the theoretical values of the weir hydraulic characteristics. The validation of these theoretical values of the weir hydraulic characteristics, obtained by a computational model, was made by the comparison between the values of water profile, pressures, discharge coefficient and critical depth obtained by the theoretical model and the values obtained by the physical model.

The need to accommodate larger reservoir discharge events has prompted the improvement or replacement of existing spillways. One possible spillway modification is the use of an in-reservoir arced labyrinth weir in place of a linear weir. Arced labyrinth weirs can increase crest length (more cycles) and have improved hydraulic efficiency in non-channelized approach flow applications, compared to traditional labyrinth weir applications. In this study, arced labyrinth weir flow characteristics were observed for eleven different laboratory-scale model geometries at the Utah Water Research Laboratory. Rating (Cd vs. HT/P) data and observations were recorded for each configuration, and discharge efficiency was determined. Cycle efficiency, which is representative of the discharge per cycle, was also reported.

The lower Churchill River has been an important travel route for people living in its vicinity for a long period of time. Churchillians’ have used it for subsistence harvesting, as their potable water source and as a place of recreation and relaxation. Previous research has documented the importance of the Churchill River to the residents and has explored how the Churchill River Diversion affected the community of Churchill (Boothroyd, 1992; 2000; Four Directions Consulting Group, 1994; 1995). The purpose of this project was to identify how Churchill residents used the lower Churchill River (from 1970 to 2006), recognizing three distinct periods of time. Twenty interviews were conducted with former or current long-term residents of Churchill, as well as two interviews with experts on issues concerning the lower Churchill River. Many interviewees stated that additional negotiations and measures are required before they deem the mitigation compensation package from Manitoba Hydro to be adequate considering the impact of the diversion on the residents of Churchill. / October 2007