Authors: W. Gendzelevich, A. Baryla, J. Groeneveld and D. McNeil, Manitoba Floodway Authority
Canadian Dam Association Conference (2009 Annual Conference), October 5 - 9, 2009
Abstract
The City of Winnipeg is protected from flooding by the Red River Floodway. Originally constructed in the 1960s, the Floodway has since prevented more than an estimated $8 billion in damages. In 1997, the largest flood since the 1800s occurred, and this “flood of the century” taxed the existing Floodway to its limits. It was clear following the 1997 flood that there was a need to prepare for a larger future flood.
The Outlet Structure is located at the downstream end of the Floodway, where the diverted water re-enters into the Red River north of the City of Winnipeg. It is a large concrete drop structure used to dissipate energy in the water before it is returned to the Red River. Both physical and numerical models were set up and used to develop an efficient and cost effective design of the expanded Outlet Structure.
Construction of the expanded Outlet Structure began in the spring of 2007 and was completed in the spring of 2009. This paper discusses both the numerical and physical modelling activities, and the design and the construction of the Outlet Structure.
