ARS | Publication request: USDA-ARS support of the USDA small watershed program

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: August 10, 2011
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: The USDA-ARS Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit (HERU) has had a rich history supporting the USDA Small Watershed Program. The Small Watershed Program was established by the passage of legislation that allowed the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service to provide financial and technical support for the construction of more than 11,000 flood control dams. This program integrated conservation practices in a watershed with flood control dams on tributary streams. Besides flood control, these dams provide other benefits including water supplies for livestock and irrigation, wildlife habitat, rural and municipal water supplies, and recreation. A typical flood control dam consists of an inlet tower, principal spillway pipe, outlet energy dissipation basin, and an auxiliary spillway, typically earthen. Scientists at the HERU has provided research support and developed engineering tools and design guidelines that has touched on virtually all design elements (i.e. trash racks, riprap protection for cantilever pipe outlets, vegetated, earthen auxiliary spillways) of these dams. The research continues today with HERU scientists providing support for the rehabilitation of these aging dams.