3 Mar 2025

Low-Sill Control Structure: Physical Modeling Investigation—Potential Upstream Dike Fields

Abstract: The model investigation reported herein describes the process to analyze the effects of proposed dikes in various locations upstream of the Low-Sill Control Structure (LSCS) using an existing 1:55 Froude-scaled physical model. The purpose of this effort was to utilize the physical model to explore potential configurations of river-training structures in the approach channel that would result in more uniform flow conditions at the structure. This analysis was conducted by constructing dikes out of both sandbags and rock. Each dike configuration was surveyed using lidar and then tested by collecting particle-tracking velocimetry data. A total of nine dike configurations were tested in the physical model, and the resulting flow fields in the approach channel were provided to the US Army Corps of Engineers, Mississippi Valley Division. Most configurations resulted in data that showed improved, straighter flow paths in the approach channel. The results of these tests indicated that an L-head dike configured as the 50 ft stone dike 1-23A provided relatively straight flow conditions approaching the LSCS with relative uniform velocities across the channel.