General – Risks and Possible Damage
Protection against flood damage for structures calls for resourcefulness during the immediate flooding threat,
as well as during the implementation of permanent protection measures. Temporary measures should be given
consideration to prevent both minor and major damage. Minor damage can be categorized as scour on the
shoulders or behind the abutments, debris hung up in the waterway opening, overtopping, and various other
damage that can be immediately detected and repaired. Major damage are items such as contamination of
ballast decks and roadbed; scouring around piling, piers, foundations, and backwalls; channel changes resulting
in silting or bypassing the structure; culvert piping or joint separation; etc.
3.7.3.2 Temporary Protection Measures
The need for temporary protection should be considered not only prior to and during floods, but also when the
structure is under construction. Temporary measures to consider during or immediately preceding a flood
include, identification of high-risk areas, frequent inspection, remove or pass debris through the structure to
avoid accumulation, and the placement of riprap or sandbags. The following are temporary measures to be
considered when the structure is in the design or construction stage; all the measures considered previously,
and others such as fence jetties, rock jetties, and channel cutoffs.