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Hydraulics

The Hydraulics Branch is part of the WSDOT Design Office, providing technical support, training and policy manuals in the disciplines of hydrology and hydraulics to WSDOT headquarters, regional PE offices and consultants. They also provide varying degrees of technical support to other state agencies and local agencies.

Primary Responsibilities
The Hydraulics Branch has primary responsibility for the following:

  • Maintain and update the WSDOT Hydraulics Manual.
  • Maintain and update the design portions of the Highway Runoff Manual.
  • Hydraulic analysis of bridges, including hydraulic conveyance, floodplain impacts, deck drainage and foundation scour.
  • Hydraulic and structural design of large span corrugated metal culverts.
  • Provide technical support and approval authority for all hydraulic reports.
  • Technical support for research efforts in stormwater and hydraulics.
  • Hydraulic design of pumping facilities.
  • Maintain and update WSDOT Standard Plans and Standard Specifications Book involving drainage water related items.
  • Design water supply and sewage disposal systems for safety rest areas.
  • Provide hydrology and hydraulics training for WSDOT personnel.

Technical Assistance
The Hydraulics Branch offers technical assistance to project engineers, WSDOT consultants and Local Programs for the following:

  • Hydraulic design of drainage facilities (culverts, storm drains, storm water BMPs, siphons, channel changes, etc.)
  • Structural design of hydraulic structures (culverts, headwalls, fish ladders, etc.)
  • Hydraulic Support for bridge scour, bridge foundations, water surface profiles and analysis of floodwaters thru bridges.
  • Analysis of stream bank erosion along roadways & river migration and the design of stabilization counter measures and environmental mitigation.
  • Flood plain studies, flood predictions and special hydrological analysis (snowmelt estimates, storm frequency predictions, etc.)
  • Analysis of closed drainage basins and unusual or unique drainage conditions.
  • Wind and wave analysis on open water structures.
  • Technical support to Local Programs for hydraulic or bridge related needs.

Runoff Resources

 

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WSDOT Hydraulics Manual

Every March, a new version of the Hydraulics Manual is published that reflects corrections and or clarifications found during general use of the manual. Any comments or questions concerning the manual should be directed to:

Aimee Navickis-Brasch, Headquarters Hydraulics
(509) 324-6139 (PBX: 6139)
These comments are considered for future revisions.

Before starting any hydraulic design, verify that the date in the footer of the Hydraulics Manual is for the last March. The latest version of the WSDOT Hydraulics Manual (M 23-03) is always available on-line through Engineering Publications On-Line Library.


WSDOT Hydraulics Report Outline

Below is a link to the current Hydraulic Report outline that replaces the outline in Chapter 1 of the 2007 Hydraulic Manual. The outline has been updated to be consistent with the 2008 Highway Runoff Manual and should be used for all project following the 2008 HRM.

The outline is intended to be a starting point for designers. Since some regions have modified the outline to meet specific region needs and or requirements, designers should contact their Regional Hydraulic Engineer before starting a report. It is recommended that designers read through the outline and determine which sections are applicable to their project and delete those that are not. Following and completing the outline does not mean all of Minimum Requirements in the Highway Runoff Manual have been addressed. The outline is only a tool to aid the designer in developing a Hydraulics Report. To determine the applicability of the Minimum Requirements and BMPs for a project, designers should consult the Highway Runoff Manual.


Fish Passage

WSDOT is required to install and maintain all culverts, fishways, and bridges to provide unrestricted fish passage as per Washington law, RCW 77.57.030. Design of fish barrier correction will be based on the latest version of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) Fish Passage Design at Road Culverts manual or its successor. Through use of this design guidance and in coordination with WDFW, it is expected that new highway construction at stream crossings will not result in additional barriers to fish passage. For more information, see link below. 

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Environment/Biology/FP/fishpassage.htm


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