Scour Protection for Pike Island Dam, Ohio River: Hydraulic Model Investigation.

Pike Island Locks and Dams are located 84.2 miles below the head of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The navigation project contains a gated spillway section with a stilling basin. Testing were conducted on a 125-scale section model of five of the nine spillway tainter gates and the stilling basin. The purpose of the model study was to determine sizing and configuration of materials necessary to protect the area immediately downstream from the stilling basin from additional scour. Scour protection was developed for operation with a single gate opened 10 ft, normal upper pool, and minimum project tailwater. This type operation occurs when ice and debris are passed through the spillway gates. The type 2 riprap plan, which consisted of 4- to 6-ft-diameter stones, remained stable for the conditions described when placed on a 1V on 3H downward slope. The type 2 riprap plan was modified to accommodate construction by adding a horizontal section of tremie concrete followed by grout-filled fabric bags immediately downstream from the stilling basin. Riprap consisting of 5-ft-diameter stones was then placed on a 1V on 3H downward slope just downstreams of the grout-filled fabric bag. This plan was stable for operation with a single gate opened 10 ft, normal upper pool, and minimum project tailwater and was recommended for the Pike Island Project.