Self-Cleaning Ability of the Piano Key Weir with Driftwood Blockages

The piano key weir has been successfully used to address discharge deficiencies and site limitations for run-of-river structures and new and existing spillways, serving as an economical alternative to traditional weirs. In addition to upstream sedimentation, weirs may also be exposed to floating driftwood mobilized by hydrologic events. Driftwood accumulation immediately upstream of or on a weir crest can decrease hydraulic performance, potentially increasing upstream flooding and altering hydrodynamic forces on the weir that may cause structural or foundational concerns. It is unclear if floating driftwood accumulation might also influence the sediment self-cleaning characteristics of piano key weirs. Thus, this study used physical experiments to systematically investigate the sediment self-cleaning ability of a Type A piano key weir with driftwood accumulation in a run-of-river setting. The simulated substrate was an alluvial sand bed and the driftwood was naturally shaped. Experiments included combinations of discharge and different driftwood volumes. Results indicate that driftwood accumulations can have a significant influence on the flow field upstream of a piano key weir and positively affect the self-cleaning of sediment. For the conditions considered herein, the cleaning capacity was a function of driftwood volume, accumulation surface area or its extent in the upstream reach, and discharge. Higher flow rates and increased driftwood volume increased and extended upstream scour, resulting in higher sediment transport and self-cleaning without causing a significant backwater or increase in upstream water elevation. With sufficient flow depths at the piano key weir, driftwood would also be anticipated to pass downstream. Based on the results, driftwood accumulation can positively affect the ability of a piano key weir to remove adjacent upstream noncohesive sediment deposits.