ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox

Erosion that cuts into the toe of dam can cause embankment instability

From ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox
Jump to: navigation, search

Message: Erosion that cuts into the toe of dam can cause embankment instability.

OUTLET RELEASES ERODING THE TOE OF THE DAM — when reservoir water flowing through the outlet pipe causes a scour hole to develop underneath the outlet pipe. This erosion can be caused by an outlet pipe that is too short. It also can be caused when the end of the outlet pipe does not have an energy-dissipating pool or structure. If the toe of the dam erodes, the downstream face may become too steep or progressive sloughing may occur and lead to dam failure.

Content Courtesy of Assessing Dams and Impoundments: A Beginner's Guide (USDA)

  • Outlet releases erode the toe of the dam.

    Outlet releases erode the toe of the dam.

  • A scour hole at an outlet erodes the toe of the slope.

    A scour hole at an outlet erodes the toe of the slope.


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: 4692
Revision Date: 12/02/2022

Retrieved from "https://damtoolbox.org/index.php?title=Erosion_that_cuts_into_the_toe_of_dam_can_cause_embankment_instability&oldid=4692"