Figure - Bendway Models

Bendway Models


To better understand the river mechanics of bendways, a flowing water model of the two most treacherous Mississippi River bendways, Dogtooth Bend and Prices Bend, was Constructed at the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Waterways Experiment Station (WES) in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Figure - Possible Solutions


Possible Solutions

The Purpose of the model tests was to arrive at a practical and cost effective solution to the problem of narrowing bendway channels. Numerous structural solutions were considered.

  • Perpendicular-Angled Dikes: This configuration had no effect on the channel.
  • Upstream and Downstream Chevrons: The Chevrons (a flow dividing device) had no effect on the point bar. These structures moved currents toward the outside bank, threatening stability.
  • Channel Realignment: Several different channel realignments were tested with mixed results. Major channel realignments were deemed cost prohibitive.
  • Submerged Vanes: Although vanes caused some silt to be deposited on the outside of the bend, these structures had little effect on the point bars.
  • Bar Dikes: Dikes located on the point bars had no effect on widening the channel, but did inhibit the tendency for cutoff development.
  • Bendway Weirs: These structures caused a widening of the navigation channel; a favorable redistribution of velocities and sediments were verified in these model tests.

Figure - Bendway Weirs: