Woodfin Whitewater Wave on the French Broad River

The Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU) created Froude scaled hydraulic model of the wave which is designed as a recreational play feature proposed by S2O Design and Engineering (S2O) within the river reach of the French Broad River near Woodfin, NC. The wave is a single drop structure that features both a fish passage/easy navigation channel and a recreational channel. Flows are split between the two based on the shape of the ground form at the particular flow rate considered. Both Channels are modeled in the physical model.

Modelling is an iterative process. The best-guess at a design based on computer analysis is built and is the original configuration. In some cases, this configuration is ideal and, though often perturbed in different variables for the purposes of evaluation, this is the final configuration as well.

The CTU proposed a 1:30 scale model that would flow at model rates simulating 967, 2250, and 3000 cfs. Higher flow rates would be investigated but not documented to ensure safe flows at all expected levels. Up to the maximum flow allowed in the model (roughly 7,000 cfs).

In other cases, issues are identified with the design and optimization is attained through geometric changes to the design of the drop structure and/or the riverbed downstream. Additionally, the changes in this structure are mirrored in the computer model that is used for the purposes of floodplain modeling. So, each significant change in the physical model is also represented in the computer model and then evaluated to ensure that the proposed modeling change can be permitted under FIS regulations.