| Definitions - Flood Prevention Systems | ||
| Floodwall: A floodwall is a structural reinforced concrete wall designed and constructed to hold back flood waters with a shallow foundation or a deep foundation depending on flood heights and soil conditions. |  |
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Levees: Structures that run roughly parallel to a river, that restrict the river from expanding onto the flood plain during flooding. Flooding is defined as an increase in river elevation or stage to the point where it rises above and outside its normal high water bank. Uses: Manmade levees prevent flood waters from inundating valuable residential and business property as well as infrastructure or agricultural land. This is done to protect public safety and property, and for economic benefit. |
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Relief Well: A relief well is a deep well located on the protected side of the levee or downstream of a dam, typically ranging in diameter between 8 and 12 inches extending at least 50% of the aquifer depth. Artesian water pressures decrease with ground water flowing from the relief well. |
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| Seepage Berm: A seepage berm is located along the protected side of the levee and constructed of pervious material like sand to provide weighted mass resisting the uplifting seepage forces. With pervious material in the seepage berm, ground water is allowed to seep from the unlying stratigraphy and lowers the uplift pressures. |  |
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| Slurry Cutoff Wall: An impervious wall constructed using bentonite slurry excavation methods down through pervious materials like sand aquifers that are backfilled with various mixtures of soil and bentonite slurry, cement and bentonite slurry, or concrete. |  |
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Last updated:
Monday, March 15, 2010 3:51 PM |
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