The channel design/modification tools in HEC-RAS allow the user to perform a series of trapezoidal cuts into the existing channel geometry or to create new channel geometry. The current version of HEC-RAS has two tools for performing channel modifications. These tools are available from the Tools menu of the Geometric Data editor and are labeled Channel Design/Modification and Channel Modification (original). The tool labeled Channel Design/Modification is a new tool for HEC-RAS as of version 4.0. The tool labeled Channel Modification (original) is the original channel modification tool developed for HEC-RAS. The original channel modification tool has been left in HEC-RAS for those user's who may prefer this tool to the new one. Both channel modification tools will be described in this chapter. In general, these tools are used for planning studies, but it can also be used for hydraulic design of flood control channels.

This chapter does not cover the concepts of stable channel design. This software is designed to evaluate the hydraulics of various channel modifications. It is up to the user to ensure that any channel modification will not cause further scour of the channel bed and banks. Discussions on stable channel design can be found in many hydraulic text books, as well the Corps Engineering Manual "Hydraulic Design of Flood Control Channels" (USACE, 1991).
This chapter discusses: general modeling guidelines for using the channel modification option; how to enter the necessary input data; performing the channel modifications; and how to compare existing condition and modified condition results.

General Modeling Guidelines

In order to perform a channel modification analysis, the user should first develop a hydraulic model of the existing river reach containing the area in which the channel modification will be analyzed. This model should include several cross sections downstream from the study reach, such that any user defined downstream boundary condition does not affect the hydraulic results inside the channel modification region. The model should also include several cross sections upstream of the study reach, in order to evaluate the effects of the channel modification on the water surface profile upstream.
Once a model of the existing river system is completed, the user can use the Channel Modification (old tool) or Channel Design/Modification tools to perform trapezoidal cuts and fills into the existing geometry. Once the user has performed all of the desired channel modifications, then the modified geometry data is saved into a new geometry file. The user can then create a new plan, which contains the modified geometry and the original flow data that was used under the existing conditions plan. Computations can then be performed for the modified condition, and the user can compare the water surface profiles for both existing and modified conditions.

The Channel Modification (original) Options

  • Multiple trapezoidal cuts (up to three)
  • Independent specification of left and right trapezoidal side slopes
  • Ability to change the Manning's n value for the trapezoidal cut
  • Separate bottom widths for each trapezoidal cut
  • Ability to set new channel reach lengths
  • Multiple ways of locating the main channel centerline
  • User can explicitly define the elevation of the new channel invert, or it can be based on the original channel invert, or it can be based on projecting a slope from a downstream cross section or an upstream cross section
  • The centerline of the trapezoidal cut can be entered directly, or it can be located midway between the original main channel bank stations
  • Option to fill the existing channel before performing cuts
  • Cut and fill areas and volumes are computed

The Channel Design/Modification Tool Options

  • Identifying river reach channel designs by Alternative
  • Independent specification of cuts for the left and right overbank (width, depth, side slopes, and Manning's n values)
  • Ability to set new channel reach lengths
  • Identifying separate channel cut data in a Template
  • User can explicitly define the elevation of the new channel invert, or it can be based on the original channel invert, or it can be based on projecting a slope from a downstream cross section or an upstream cross section
  • The centerline of the trapezoidal cut can be entered directly, or it can be located midway between the original main channel bank stations
  • Option to fill the existing channel before performing cuts
  • Cut and fill volumes are computed

The general concept behind the Channel Design/Modification tool is that a user develops a cross-section Template. The Template may then be applied to existing cross-sectional data (as performed historically in HEC-RAS) to perform Channel Modifications. The Template may be also be used in Channel Design to create new cross sections on a river reach.