Optimizing A New Flow Diversion Structure For The Planned Expanding Of The Spillway For The Malter Dam In Germany Using A Physical Hydraulic Model

The State Reservoir Administration of Saxony is planning to expand the spillway discharge capacity of the 102-year-old Malter Dam. After a catastrophic flood in 2002, updated hydrologic modeling indicated that the design discharges for the dam had increased significantly. As a result, the original spillway discharge capacity was insufficient to pass the revised design flows. A design concept was developed to add a second spillway and stilling basin to the dam, and to pass flow into this spillway using a novel vertical flow separator. The design and performance of this system was evaluated using a 1:25-scale physical model. The modeling activities were performed by the Research Institute for Water and Environment located at the University of Siegen. The modeling effort led to an improved design of the vertical flow separator which meets the needs of the project and will allow for an increase in the spillway discharge capacity to satisfy dam safety concerns