Difference between Weir, Barrage, & Headwork’s

Abstract: weir, Barrage and Head works are hydraulic structures. Weir worked as obstruction
placed across the river whose main is to raise water level to that it can be diverted by canal to crop
field with help of difference of head. Barrage is arrangement of adjustable gates at different tiers
over the weir so that water level can be adjusted by opening of gates while head works are
structures constructed across a river source at the head of off taking main canal called as head
works. These can be built on water course or river between two banks at same level of river for
purpose of to control or distribute water for irrigation or water supply requirements.

1. Weir

Introduction

 Weir is without gated barrier across river to raise water level in river as well as diverts
water into off taking canal construction on one or either banks of river is aligned
perpendicular to direction of flow in river. Such weirs possess minimum length and
normal uniform flow through weir bays and minimize chances of should flow formation.
[1]

 A hydraulic structure constructed across river to raise its water level and diver into canal
for irrigation purposes.

 It also stores water for tiding over minimum periods for short supplies termed as
storage weir.

TYPES OF WEIR

Sharp crestedp crested Broad crested

Rectangular Weir

Triangular Weir

Trapezoidal Weir
Purpose

 weir is considered as relatively low level dam suited across river to raise sufficiently river
level or divert flow either full or partially into canals or conduct for most importantly
purpose of irrigation, navigation, power generation and industrial uses.[3]

#avoid or divert flash floods to cultivated areas.

Barrage

Introduction

#Barrage is designed in such a way that it could increase water level and served as for purpose
storage and electricity can be produced with help of hydropower plants.

 In this we increase water level for diversion purposes into canal by gates are responsible
for supporting water load.
  In Barrage there is no proper obstruction across river.

 Portion of raising water level is obtained by shutters provided at top of weir crest. These
shutters during floods are drop down so that it could make possible of chat afflux is
minimum. [4]

The afflux is termed as under free flow conditions there is difference in water level between
upstream and downstream of structure, in such situation a gate controlled weir termed as
barrage is preferred.

Barrage components

(i) Gacole banks (ii) Gates (iii) wing walls (iv) Dividing walls (v) Regulates (VI) Navigation lock (vii)
Stilling basin and weir block (5)

Sukkur Barrage can be seen in this figure.

Purpose

 Useful for smaller storage capacity.

 Provide supply water to canals, purposes of irrigation, powerge enation, and flood
control as well as domestic and industrial areas.

 It is preferred to weirs.
  It control silt entry effectively canals and fish ladders for migratory fish motion [6]

Head works

Any hydraulic structure which delivers water to off taking is known as head work.

 this term is Civil engineering term used for any structure at deliversion point or head of
water way [7].

 Head works are smaller than barrages site location of canal Head works.

(a) Alluvial plan: possess smaller bed slope with some velocity.

(b) Rocky stage: possess river steep slope with some gentle velocity.

(c) Sub mountainous: Gravel or boulder. [8]

Purposes

 It is used to divert water Frame River into canal or a canal of (Large Scale) to canal (smaller
canal).

TYPES OF HEADWORKS

Storage headworks Diversion headwork

Difference between Weir and Barrage

Hydraulic structure suited across river to raise It is hydraulic structure suited across river to
sufficiently river level for without gates for purpose increase water level with help of gates installed for
of Irrigation, Navigation etc. purpose water storage, electricity production etc.
[3]

Consider as low cost. Consider as high cost.

Low control as flow. Flow can be controlled easily.

Silting an upstream could be more. Silting can be restricted with help of gates.

Excessive afflux formed in high flood. High floods pass by farming minimum afflux.

Construction can be done in short period. Construction can to be long time.

Without gates, shutters can be used. Gates are installed.

There is no any possibility of providing road rail It is possible to provide road or rail bridge.
bridge.

Difference between Barrage and Headwork

Hydraulic structure used to increase water A hydraulic structure that delivers water to off
level most important for irrigation purposes, taking.
storing water and electricity production.

It is used to increase water level store water It is use to divert water from river to canal.
for future uses.

They are larger than headwork. They are smaller in size.

Difference between weir and Head works

Hydraulic structure placed across river to raise It is also hydraulic structure that is used at
water level and divert in canal with smaller deliversion point and do not have small
shutters. shutters.

Main purpose is to raise river level for purpose Main purpose is to divert water to off taking.
of Irrigation and other uses.

It is cheaper than head works. It is same how expensive than weir.

References

[1] Is: 7.720-1975, is code for Investigation, planning and layout for Barrage and weirs

[2] -"Broad crested weirs" Broad crested weirs web.18Nov2014.

< http:/ content.alterna.wur.nl/Internet/weblogs/1lri-publications/Pub 20/Pub20- hu.o.pdf>.

3.......IS: 6

966-1973: IS code for criteria for hydraulic design of Barrage and weirs