Experts in Hydrology and Hydraulics Across the Prairies

NHC approaches intake hydraulic design by use of physical and CFD numerical modeling to evaluate and address potential problems of hydraulics and fluid mechanics. We select the appropriate tools for each project based on the specific circumstances – whether the intake exists or is proposed, whether the site is fixed or open to adjustment, and what regulatory requirements apply. Our services include:

• Using maps, imagery, and field inspection to assess suitability of intake locations, based on river morphology and processes including ice action, erosion, and sedimentation.
• Mobile‐bed physical modeling of river reaches to optimize intake location, orientation, and geometry, and to evaluate potential effects of morphological changes.
• Physical modeling of intake structures and screens to study flow patterns, optimize geometry and dimensions, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including fish exclusion.
• Numerical 3‐D (computational fluid dynamics or CFD) modeling as a hydraulic design‐aid tool to replace or complement physical modeling.
• Field studies and measurements to evaluate performance of existing or newly constructed intakes.

NHC provides CFD modeling of hydraulic structures and natural settings to evaluate flow patterns, mixing, water quality characteristics and constituent transport, and hydraulic properties in complex 3-D flow fields. The models are applied to a wide range of problem types and settings. Our services include:

• Hydraulic modeling of spillways and energy dissipation structures to assess design alternatives and verify performance.
• High resolution modeling of fish screens, river intakes, and fish passage structures to evaluate local velocities and flow patterns relevant to fish migration and protection.
• Evaluation of mixing and water quality in tanks and reservoirs.
• Assessment of flow patterns in pump station wet wells, sumps, and intakes to improve efficiency and avoid problems such as cavitation.
• Investigation of flow patterns and localized hydraulics in natural and constructed channels to estimate effects such as cross waves, eddies, and erosive flow patterns.
• Modeling of closed conduit appurtenances such as gates, fittings, valves, and injectors to evaluate or improve performance and to determine hydraulic forces.

NHC’s specialists apply a range of tools to evaluate spillways and outlet works. These include physical hydraulic modeling, advanced numerical modeling, and specialized engineering analysis. Spillway models for structures, in North America and elsewhere, have been conducted in NHC’s hydraulic laboratory activities for over 40 years. Recently, advanced numerical methods, including 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D (CFD) numerical models, have been used to provide a preliminary evaluation of spillway capacity and energy dissipation. Studies involving downstream effects, fish passage, and TDG often rely on the expertise of NHC specialists in river morphology, sedimentation, and fisheries engineering. Our services include:

• Spillways and energy dissipation: physical model studies and advanced numerical analyses of gated spillways and energy dissipation facilities to verify analytical calculations or to develop innovative, cost-reduction solutions.
• Fish passage and TDG abatement: engineering analyses, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and physical models used to evaluate alternatives for reducing TDG downstream of existing spillways and for providing safe passage of fish around dams, spillways, and other instream structures.
• Dambreak studies and dam decommissioning: advanced numerical modeling methods and engineering analyses used to predict the consequences of a dam failure to downstream morphology, aquatic habitat, lands, and communities.