Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

A numerical and empirical modeling study of pressure flushing through outlet works is reported at the Cherry Creek Dam and Reservoir, Denver, Colorado. Specifically, a 3D numerical model and empirical equations from laboratory experiments are developed and applied. The project is a joint collaborative effort among the Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and U.S. Geological Survey on the studyof reservoir outlet maintenance activities. The 3D model is based on the solution of the Navier-Stokes equations along with sediment transport and mobile-bed modules. The numerical model results are compared with the field measurement results. Repeat land and bathymetric surveys, sediment sampling, and suspended sediment concentration measurement were made at the study site. The comparison allows us to evaluate the suitability of the numerical models for pressure flushing modeling. Model results may be used to evaluate whether improvements to gate operations may be made to increase the efficiency of sediment removal from the reservoir.