Dam breach analysis of Kibimba Dam in Uganda using HEC-RAS and HEC-GeoRAS
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Date
2023-10Author
Kiwanuka, Moses
Chelangat, Cyrus
Mubialiwo, Ambrose
Lay, Francis Joel
Mugisha, Ayubu
Mbujje, Webster Joel
Mutanda, Hosea Eridadi
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Dam failures have severe consequences on human life and property. In the case of an earth filled Kibimba Dam
located in Eastern Uganda, the occurrence of a food equal to or larger than the probable maximum food (PMF) could
result in catastrophic economic losses including loss of human life. This study utilized the USACE Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) and Hydrologic Engineering Center’s Geographic River Analysis System
(HEC-GeoRAS) to analyze the potential dam break of Kibimba Dam, considering overtopping and piping failure
scenarios. The results of the analysis revealed that the spillway of Kibimba Dam possesses sufficient capacity to safely
discharge a food resulting from a probable maximum food peak of 400 m3/s. Therefore, the dam is not susceptible
to breach under the overtopping failure mode. However, the dam failed under the piping failure mode. To assess
the downstream impact of the dam break, the breach hydrographs resulting from piping failure were examined. Consequently, the study investigated the effects of food propagation downstream of the dam. This resulted in varying
inundation depths of up to 6 m and velocities ranging from 1.2 to 10 m/s. These findings highlight the devastating
consequences of Kibimba Dam’s failure, particularly affecting rice field plantations, infrastructure, and other economic
activities in the downstream area. Therefore, the outcomes of this study are crucial for the development of Emergency
Action Plans that incorporate dam breach and food routing analyses specific to the affected downstream regions.
Keywords Dam breach, HEC-RAS, HEC-GeoRAS, Kibimba