Baffled Drop Examples

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Examples of baffled drops are shown in the photos below. Incoming flow is directed onto a row of spaced baffles. The flow is split again by a downstream second row of offset baffles. The flow encounters additional rows of baffles until the bottom of the drop is reached. The flow basically “tumbles” down the drop from baffle to baffle dissipating energy along the length of the chute. Because this “tumbling” dissipates the energy, exit velocities from the drop are low regardless of the tailwater elevation. Since a baffled drop does not require a specific tailwater elevation, it can be a viable potential energy dissipation option where tailwater elevation varies.

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  Typical baffled drop at a change in grade.

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  Baffled Drop Plan and Profile.

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  Baffled drop aerating the flow so that it becomes saturated.

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  Typical Bureau of Reclamation baffled drop layout.

Note: The content on this page was originally created as part of DamOutletWorks.org (DOWL, 2018). It has subsequently been updated and reformatted as part of the Dam Safety Toolbox.
Revision ID: 4762
Revision Date: 12/02/2022