ABSTRACT
This paper considers characteristics of small and middle eartfhfill dams, as well as their categorization according to dam factor (DF), dam height, reservoir volume and corresponding design flood of certain probability. The failure peak flow (Qfpf) in relationship to dam factor(DF) is determined as a basic physical parameter for each category of dams.
Necessity of using both the hydrologic and nonhydrologic criteria for the determination of the design flood and free board and particularities of small and middle dams are emphasised.
Important issues to be studied (SPS) are pointed out for all categories of dams. Possibilities of new and combined types of inexpensive spillways including one completed over an earthfill dam, as a case study, were indicated for limited conditions.
This issue of the bottom outlets was considered from various points of view: design, material, size, operation, maintenance, reconstruction and definition of dead storage capacity. The time of emptying of storages was emphasised with some limitations. Furthermore, the bottom outlet’s role in sediment flushing and flood wave relief are described in this paper.
