Design and

construction details for

Mtoko dam, Zimbabwe
David J Mason

Water Supplies Project

National College of Agricultural Engineering
Silsoe 1978
 Copyright © David Mason 1978

First edition October 1978

Converted to computer format with minor revisions June 1999

This document was originally produced as part of the

requirements for the Masters Degree Course in Soil
and Water Engineering at Cranfield University, UK.

Page 2 of 2 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 MTOKO DAM

DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Contents

Summary

The design and its implementation

Annexes: A Principal Data

B Hydrologic Design Details

C Spillway Design Details

D Embankment Design Details

E Trickle Tube and Outlet Pipe Design Details

F Borrow Pit Design Details

G Volume Calculations

H Construction Details

J Maintenance Details

K Project Information

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 3 of 3

 Summary
This report contains details of a proposed dam to be built 7km
northwest of Mtoko in Rhodesia. The construction programme will
occupy two dry seasons. The dam is to be built of earth with local
labour and will hold 19000m3 of water when full. It has been
designed to supply 4300m3 over a period of 12 months. The
balance of 14700m3 allows for seepage and evaporation losses.

The embankment will be built across a natural valley. A spillway

will be cut out of the northern side of this valley and planted to
grass. A trickle tube will be installed to discharge water in excess
of the storage required. Water for domestic and stock use is to be
drawn off through a sand filter and via a 50mm pipe routed
underneath the centre of the embankment. This water can then be
chlorinated and pumped to storage tanks, or fed direct to cattle
watering troughs, as required.

The design and its implementation

The design called for a 95% reliable domestic and stock water
supply of 4300m3 over 12 months. For design purposes, therefore,
this was treated as a major storage project. Annex B describes the
hydrologic details. Since the reliability required was 95%,
precipitation was ignored when calculating the net evapo-seepage
losses. Throughout the design, constant reference was made to the
requirements laid down in the Rhodesian Handbook1.

Annex C describes the spillway design. The discharge parameters

for the spillway outfall were worked out assuming a slope of 6%.
In the event however, it was found possible to achieve a 5%
gradient by land forming, thus giving some improvement over the
figures quoted. On the other hand, because of the topographic
difficulties of designing a more gently sloping spillway, a
maximum velocity of 2.5m s–1 was accepted for the outfall water,
although the classification code of the topsoil in the area indicated
that a figure of 2m s–1 was more appropriate. The final design is
therefore a compromise between slightly increased water velocities
and a slightly decreased gradient. It is an essential part of the
design that a good stand of rhizomoferous grass be maintained on
the spillway bed.

Details of the embankment design are described in Annex D. Since

there was no local source of clay suitable for constructing a core, a
homogeneous embankment was chosen. The local subsoil, while
not ideal for this type of embankment, is nevertheless satisfactory.
A crest width of 2m is wide enough for construction machinery,

1 Handbook of basic instructions for dam construction. Department of

Conservation and Extension, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).

Page 4 of 4 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 and since no road was planned to cross the dam, this width is
narrow enough to avoid excessive earth-moving costs. The design
incorporates a stone toe filter with seepage channels leading to a
concreted section of the stream bed. This concreted channel is
taken far enough to dissipate the discharge from the trickle tube
and to prevent erosion.

The design of the trickle tube and outlet pipe is covered in Annex
E. During the wettest month of the year (January) a daily average
of 1315m3 of water will enter the storage area. This is easily coped
with by the 0.15m deep pondage, and will be discharged by the
trickle tube whose capacity is 2600m³ day–1.

The present design incorporates a 50mm outlet pipe, but this can
be changed to a 75mm diameter pipe if the subsequent pumping,
storage and distribution arrangements require it. It is very
important that neither the trickle tube nor the outlet pipe should
be routed through the embankment; they must be sunk into their
own trenches under it. The casting of the staunching rings should
be closely supervised. On no account should any kind of valve be
attached to the trickle tube.

The borrow pit (see Annex F) has been designed in such a way
that many labourers can excavate it simultaneously. Although it is
expected that an excavation of 0.5m should suffice, the pit can
easily be made deeper if more material is required during
construction. The berm of 10m is that recommended by the
Rhodesian Handbook.

Volumes of cut and fill were calculated by normal surveying

methods. Details are to be found in Annex G.

In working out the construction schedule (see Annex H) careful

attention was paid to the movement and location of the subsoil
material to be used for the earthworks, to ensure that hauling
runs were kept as short as possible. During the first season,
construction should be so timed as to allow the grass to be
planted on the spillway at the commencement of the rains. Some
local workers should be hired to look after this grass during the
following wet season. As regards the embankment, it cannot be
over-emphasised that it should be built up in thin well-compacted
layers. On no account should a bulldozer be used — in fact the
bulldozer can be sent back as soon as the cut-off trench and
borrow pit areas have been ripped. As before, labourers should be
retained to look after the grass planted on the embankment and
training wall to ensure that it becomes well established during the
second wet season.

Instructions for maintenance (Annex J) have been abstracted from

the Rhodesian Handbook.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 5 of 5

 Annex A: Principal Data
pondage: 0.15m
Catchment storage: 5.4m
Length: 2450m Total Height: 6.95m
Slope:0.04m m–1
Cover: cultivated / grassland
Area: 302 Ha
Rational Formula C Factor:
0.36
Soils: 5G/6G/11

Rainfall and Runoff

Return Period: 50 yr
Time of Concentration: 28.1
min
Rainfall: 936 mm yr–1
Intensity: 112 mm hr–1
Yield (Conex): 178000 m3 yr–1
Flood: 33.8 cumecs

Storage
Purpose: domestic and stock
Reliability: 95%
Demand: 4300m³ yr–1
Residual: 500m³
Seepage: 50mm month–1
Evaporation: 1901mm yr–1
NES: 2501mm yr–1
Total Storage: 19000m3
Critical Period: 12 months
Max Depth of Water: 5.4m
Water Surface Area: 10700m²

Embankment
Type: homogeneous
Material: coarse sand / sandy
clay loam
Batters: 2½:1
Crest Width: 2m
Settlement Allowance: 0.075m
m–1
Total Length: 140m
Cut-off Trench Bottom Width:
2m
Cut-off Trench Batters: 2½:1
Cut-off Trench Depth: 1.5m
Height:
clearance: 0.5m
surcharge: 0.73m
wave action: 0.17m
freeboard (total of above):
1.4m

Page 6 of 6 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 Trickle Tube Diameter: 150mm
Spillway Height of Tube Inlet: 97.4m
Tube Position: 1m below full
Outfall water
Gradient: 0.06m m–1 level on opposite side to
Cover: grass 250 – 600mm tall spillway
Batter: 1½:1 Outlet Pipe Diameter: 50mm
Roughness (n): 0.05 Pipe Position: On opposite side
Max Velocity: 2.5m s–1 to spillway, below trickle
Depth of Flow: 0.37m tube
Width: 36.6m Drop Inlet Chamber: 300mm x
Hydraulic Radius: 0.36 500mm
Wetted Perimeter: 37.3m x 750mm deep
Filter Unit: 1m x 1m x 1m
Inlet
Elevation: 97.55m Borrow Pit
Width: 36m Distance from Upstream Toe:
Depth of Flow (surcharge): 0.73m 10m
Ground Level Dimensions:
Training Wall 35m
Length: 116m width downstream, 75m
Crest Width: 1m width
Batters: 1½:1 upstream, length 40m
Batters: 2½:1
Trickle Tube and Outlet Pipe Depth: 0.5m
Excess Catchment Water: 0.005
cumecs
Annex B: Hydrologic Design Details

1 STORAGE DESIGN

Purpose of Storage
Domestic supply and stock water.

Reliability Required
95%

Water Demand

Jan 0.25 Apr 0.375 Jul 0.5 Oct 0.3

Feb 0.25 May 0.45 Aug 0.45 Nov 0.3
Mar 0.3 Jun 0.5 Sep 0.375 Dec 0.25

All in litres x 106 month–1 giving a total of 4300m3 over 12 months.

Type
Since, with losses, the total water stored will exceed 5000m3, this
will rate as a Major Storage Design.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 7 of 7

 Critical Storage Period
Since the annual rainfall exceeds 650mm, this will be 12 months.

Storage Requirements
The soil classification map for the area shows the soils to be a
mixture of 5G, 6G and 11 types. These comprise coarse-grained
sands, loamy sands, sandy clay loams, and sandy clays. Seepage
losses were estimated at 50mm month–1. Climatological data for
the area shows the annual evaporation to be 1901mm. The net
evapo-seepage loss is therefore calculated as:

NES = (1901 / 12 + 50) x 12 = 2501mm yr–1

A residual amount of water to be left in the storage area after

demand and evapo-seepage losses have been met was arbitrarily
chosen to be 500m3. Using the depth-storage curve for the site
(see attached Handout LS4B) a total storage requirement of
19000m3 was found to be necessary. This gives a maximum water
depth of 5.4m, with a surface area (measured from the site plan by
planimeter) of 10700m².

2 CATCHMENT YIELD

Catchment Area
The boundaries of the catchment were delineated using stereo
photo-interpretation and are shown on the attached aerial
photograph (Handout LS5). Comparison with a 1:50000 Ordnance
Map of the area yielded a photo scale of 1:23,786. The area of the
catchment was then measured on the aerial photo with a
planimeter and found to be 302ha.

Mean Annual Rainfall

Climatological data for the area shows this to be 936mm.

Catchment Yield
Using the Rhodesian Handbook tables, a catchment of 302ha with
a mean annual rainfall of 936mm should give a minimum annual
yield of 178000m³.

3 FLOOD RUNOFF

Catchment Coefficient
The maximum length of the catchment was measured as 2450m
with a drop of 100m from top to bottom. This represents an
approximate average gradient of 4%. The cover was interpreted
from the aerial photograph as mainly cultivated land with some
natural grassland. The soils have already been described. There

Page 8 of 8 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 are many different tables giving values of 'C' from slope,
catchment cover and soil texture. A figure of 0.36 was chosen2.

Rainfall Intensity
The climatological data given in the attached handout (LS3B) was
used to plot a graph of log intensity vs. log duration for a 50yr
return period (see Figure 3.1). The time of concentration is given
by:

T = 0.02L0.77 S–0.385 where L = catchment length in m

S = catchment slope in m m–1

Substituting for L and S:

T = 0.02 (2450)0.77 (0.04)–0.385 = 28.1min

From Figure 3.1 the intensity at 28.1min was found to be 112 mm

hr–1.

Calculation of Runoff
The Rational Formula was used3. In the metric form this is:

Q = CIA / 360

Substituting for C, I, and A:

Q = (0.36 x 112 x 302) / 360 = 33.8 cumecs

Annex C: Spillway Design Details

1 FLOOD ESTIMATION
The 50yr flood, estimated by the Rational Method, was 34 cumecs.

2 OUTFALL CALCULATIONS

Gradient
The outfall water has to drop about 5.5m to the streambed. The
route to be taken by this water was mapped out on the contoured
site plan. It was difficult to achieve a gradient of less than 6%,
although the final drawings have managed to bring this nearer to

2 See Table 7.1 in Hudson, N. Soil Conservation. BT Batsford Ltd. 1981.

3 See Section 7.4.1 in Hudson, N. Soil Conservation. BT Batsford Ltd.

1981.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 9 of 9

 5%. However, for design purposes, a figure of 0.06m m–1 was
adopted.

Cover
It is essential that a good stand of resilient grass should cover the
spillway and its banks. Couch grass was chosen, as recommended
by the Rhodesian Handbook. A stand 250 – 600mm high should
give a roughness factor ‘n’ of 0.05.

Discharge Velocity
The maximum velocity of flow down a grassed spillway should not
exceed 2.5m s–1 if erosion is to be avoided.

Dimensions
The width and depth of flow were calculated from Manning
formula:

u = 1 / n R2/3 S½

where u = velocity of flow, n = roughness factor, R = hydraulic

radius, S = slope.

Page 10 of 10 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 Rearranging:

R2/3 = un / S½

Substituting for u, n, and S:

R2/3 = (2.5 x 0.05) / 0.06½ = 0.51032

Therefore log R = 1.5 log 0.51032 = –0.4383, and R = 0.36449.

Now R = A / P where A = cross-sectional area

P = wetted perimeter

And Q = uA where Q = flow

Therefore A = Q / u, = 34 / 2.5, = 13.6m²

If L = width of spillway and H = depth of water:

LH = A, and L + 2H = P

Knowing R and A, then P = A / R, = 13.6 / 0.36449, = 37.312m

Substituting for P:

L = 37.321 – 2H

Substituting for L and A in LH = A:

(37.312 – 2H) H = 13.6

Therefore 2H² – 37.312H + 13.6 = 0

Solving the quadratic:

H = (37.312 – √((–3 7.312)² – 4 x 2 x 13.6) / (2 x 2) = 0.372

Therefore H = 0.372m and L = 36.568m

A spillway width of 36m was adopted, with side slopes having a

batter of 1½:1.

3 INLET CALCULATIONS
The discharge over the spillway crest was assumed to obey a
broad-crested weir formula:

Q = CLH3/2 where C = 1.5

L = crest width
H = depth of flow

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 11 of 11

 Rearranging:

H3/2 = Q / CL, = 34 / 1.5L

It was decided to adopt the same inlet and crest width as the
outfall width, so L = 36m. Thus:

H3/2 = 0.6291

Therefore log H = 0.6 log 0.6291

Therefore H = 0.73m

This depth H is also termed the surcharge.

4 TRAINING WALL
To maintain uniform flow down the spillway, it was necessary to
design a training wall. From the site plan the length of this wall
was found to be 116m. A crest width of 1m was chosen with
batters of 1½:1.

Annex D: Embankment Design Details

1 TYPE AND MATERIAL

Test borings showed the subsoil to be a silty sand as classified by
the Unified Soil Classification system. This material is fairly
suitable for building the homogeneous type of embankment. A
further consideration is that, with unskilled labour, the
homogeneous embankment is the easiest to construct.

2 DIMENSIONS

Clearance
The standard minimum dimension for a dam of this size was
chosen, i.e. 0.5m.

Surcharge
This was calculated under Spillway: Inlet Calculations and found
to be 0.73m.

Wave Action
This was calculated from the Hawksley formula:

H = 0.014 √ L where L = maximum fetch in metres

Page 12 of 12 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 From the site plan, the fetch was measured as 150m, so:

H = 0.014 √ 150 = 0.17m

Pondage
A depth equal to the trickle tube diameter was chosen, i.e. 0.15m.

Storage
This had already been worked out during the hydrologic design.
The maximum depth of water was 5.4m.

Freeboard
This is the sum of clearance, surcharge, and wave action. In this
case these total 1.4m.

Total Height
Adding the above, the total height of the embankment is 6.95m.

Crest Width
This was calculated from the formula:

W = H / 15 + 1.5 where H = maximum height of the

embankment

≅2m.

Batters
For the soil group SM, and for stored water depths between 3m
and 7m, the recommended batters for the upstream and
downstream slopes are 2½:1.

Settlement Allowance
The Rhodesian Handbook recommends a settlement allowance of
0.075m m–1

Cut-off Trench
A bottom width of 2m was chosen to allow easy passage for both a
tractor and an ox-team. Batters of 2½:1 were chosen. Owing to the
subsoil material not being the ideal type for an embankment core
it was thought advisable to take the cut-off trench to a depth of
1.5m.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 13 of 13

 Annex E: Trickle Tube and Outlet Pipe
Design Details

1 TRICKLE TUBE

Diameter
The estimated runoff of the catchment in any one year was
estimated at 178000m³, of which 19000m³ was to be stored in the
dam. This leaves 159000m³, which is approximately equivalent to
0.005 cumecs. A 150mm diameter pipe, which is a common size
and easy to obtain, will cope with a flow of 0.03 cumecs, six times
the average catchment excess.

Inlet
For a 150mm diameter pipe the Rhodesian Handbook
recommends a drop inlet chamber of 300mm x 500mm by 750mm
deep. The top of the inlet chamber should be 0.15m below
maximum water level.

Position
The trickle tube should be laid in a trench perpendicular to the
centre line of the embankment 1m below high water level on the
opposite side to the spillway. The tube should be encased in
150mm concrete with 1m diameter concrete rings 4m from the
embankment centre, and with a 1.5m diameter collar at the cut-
off trench.

2 OUTLET PIPE

Diameter
A standard 50mm diameter pipe should be sufficient for a peak
flow of twice the June daily average demand (i.e. 0.00039 cumecs).

Inlet
Since the water is for direct animal consumption and indirect (viz.
a chlorination plant is envisaged) human consumption, the water
quality should be as high as possible. The inlet should therefore
incorporate a 1m x 1m x 1m box sand filter.

Position
The outlet pipe should be laid in a trench below the highest part of
the embankment. The pipe should be encased in 250mm diameter
concrete with 850mm diameter staunching rings (also of concrete)
every 3m, and a curtain concrete wall 1.25m wide set on the
centre of the cut-off trench floor.

Page 14 of 14 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 Annex F: Borrow Pit Design Details

Location
The downstream edge of the borrow pit should be 10m away from
the upstream toe of the embankment, within the storage basin.

Size
Trapezoidal with parallel sides of 35m and 75m separated by a
distance of 40m. A depth of 0.5m will provide approximately
1000m3 of material. Batters 2½:1.

Annex G: Volume Calculations

1 EMBANKMENT
The trapezoidal formula was used to calculate the volume of
material in the embankment itself (not including the cut-off
trench). This formula is:

v = d / 6 (A1 + 4M + A2)

where V = volume in m³
d = perpendicular distance between the end faces in m
A1= area of one face in m2
M = area of midsection in m2
A2 = area of second face in m2

2 CUT-OFF TRENCH
The volume was calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area
(8.625m2) by the total length (140m). The result is shown in
Figure 3.5.

3 SPILLWAY
Cross-sections were drawn at various points along the spillway
(see Figure 3.6) and the areas of these were used in the trapezoidal
formula or in a simplification of it:

V = d / 2 (A1 + A2)

according to convenience. The results are shown in Figure 3.5.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 15 of 15

 4 TRAINING WALL
The volume was worked out in the same way as that of the cut-off
trench viz. by multiplying the cross-sectional area (4.875m2) by
the total length (116m). Again the result is to be found in Figure
3.5.

5 BORROW PIT
The dimensions of the borrow pit were designed to make up the
shortfall in material required for the embankment. So far we have:

CUT m³ FILL m3
Spillway 9200 Embankment 9632
Cut-off trench 1208 Cut-off trench 1208
Training Wall 566
10408 11406

The shortfall is approximately 1000m3. The volume of the borrow

pit, if dug to 0.5m deep, is 1041m3.

Annex H: Construction Details

1 EQUIPMENT
Bulldozer (for the initial periods only), tractor with scraper blade,
water bowser, water pump, ramps, disc harrow or scarifier,
wheelbarrows, picks, shovels, hoes, puddling staves, levelling
equipment, marker pegs, axes, cement mixer, post augur,
hammers, wire tensioners, buckets.

2 MATERIALS REQUIRED
Sand, cement, graded aggregate (25mm), fencing posts, barbed
wire, staples, 150mm piping, 50mm piping, filter sand, 50mm gate
valve, fumigant, grass seed, fertiliser and/or kraal manure, diesel
fuel, water, large stones, bricks.

3 PERSONNEL REQUIRED
One foreman (with previous experience of earth dam building), 40
labourers, 1 bulldozer operator, 1 bricklayer/plasterer, 1 plumber,
1 surveyor and 1 staffman, 1 tractor driver, 2 herdsmen with their
cattle.

Page 16 of 16 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 4 TIMING
The whole construction should be carried out over two dry
seasons (May to October). During the first season the spillway
should be cut and grassed, and then the embankment and other
works can be the completed in the second year. This is to ensure
adequate grass establishment on the spillway before the dam
starts to fill up.

5 MARKING OUT
Establish a concrete beacon at the TBM (see Figure 3.2).

Mark out the embankment centre line with pegs and with two
strong poles some distance from either end to act as site line flags.

Peg the upstream and downstream embankment toes, and ends.

Peg the spillway outer edge.

Peg the training wall toes and end.

Peg the cut-off trench and borrow pit.

Peg the high water level.

6 CONSTRUCTION — FIRST SEASON

Fumigate, excavate and fill in, all anthills in the vicinity of the
embankment, training wall and spillway.

Remove all trees, stumps and roots (filling in the holes afterwards)
from the areas to be occupied by the embankment, training wall
and spillway, and borrow pit.

Chop down all trees to stump level from the rest of the basin area
up to the high water level mark.

Use the bulldozer to remove all the topsoil (to a depth of 250mm)
from the spillway area and training wall area and push it slightly
uphill of the spillway outer edge.

Use the bulldozer to remove all the topsoil from the borrow pit
area and push it to just beyond the southern edge of the pit. This
soil should not cover the route to be taken by the trickle tube.

Use the bulldozer to excavate the spillway to just below the

finished level (RL 97.55 – 0.25) pushing some of the material to
the north side of the basin and the rest beyond the downhill toe of
the training wall. Do not push any material onto the area to be
occupied by the embankment.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 17 of 17

 Replace the topsoil to bring the spillway to the current height
(RL 97.55 at the crest, sloping down at 5% to the outfall).

Plant a dense cover of rhizomoferous grass (e.g. Cynodon dactylon)

over the spillway, and fertilise if necessary.

Fence off the spillway area to keep cattle out.

7 CONSTRUCTION — SECOND SEASON

Check that all the marker pegs are still in position — replace any
that are missing.

Use the bulldozer to remove the topsoil (to a depth of 0.25m) from
the embankment area pushing it beyond the downstream toe of
the embankment.

Use the bulldozer tines to rip the cut-off trench and borrow pit
areas.

Excavate the cut-off trench and use the material to start building
the downstream toe of the embankment. At the same time, start
building the training wall using material excavated from the
spillway after having scarified the ground surface with a tractor
and disc harrow.

Excavate the trickle tube and outlet pipe trenches. Keep them as
narrow as possible so that the concrete may be cast straight into
the soil. The staunching rings should be cast square, again
straight into the earth, using a 4:2:1 mix. Fill up the trenches with
layers of subsoil, well puddled with 50mm staves.

Fill in the cut-off trench with 150mm layers of material taken from
the north side of the basin. Use the water if necessary to bring the
moisture content of the material to within ± 3% of the optimum for
achieving maximum dry density. Use cattle or oxteams driven
backwards and forwards to compact each layer.

When the cut-off trench has been filled, scarify the whole area to
be covered by the embankment.

Build up the embankment in thin layers (not exceeding 150mm),

using water if necessary as before, and compacting with cattle.
Use the material from the spillway first and then excavate from
the borrow pit. Avoid any large stones or boulders. Check the
moisture content frequently. Construction should proceed from
the toes inwards. Check the batters regularly and keep the top
level. Make sure that haul distances are as short as possible for
efficient working.

Construction of the training wall should follow the same pattern

as that of the embankment.

Page 18 of 18 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 Remember to allow for settlement; the embankment will end with
a hump in its crest at the deepest point. Give the crest a slight
upstream tilt.

Use the topsoil heaped south of the training wall to spread over
the downstream slope of the embankment and over the training
wall.

Use the borrow pit topsoil to cover the crest and top upstream face
of the embankment.

Use well-graded aggregate to form the apex of the downstream toe.

Use large stones (of not less than 25kg weight each) to stone pitch
the northern end of the embankment at the spillway crest. The
stones should be closely packed with the long axis of each stone
set at right angles to the embankment. The voids between the
stones should be filled with topsoil and planted with
rhizomoferous grass.

Plant rhizomoferous grass (e.g. Cynodon dactylon) on the training

wall and on all faces of the embankment that will be exposed
when the dam is full.

Construct the drop inlet chamber, filter chamber, seepage

channels, and concrete trickle-tube-leadaway channel. The
downstream wall of the drop inlet chamber should be raised
300mm for vortex suppression. A wire mesh cover should be fitted
to prevent twigs etc. blocking the trickle tube.

Fence off the embankment to stop cattle damaging the grass.

Inspect and check the work, and issue a maintenance form to the
headman.

DJM/ejm/4 10 78

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 19 of 19

Duration (min) 5 10 20 30 45 60 90 120

Amount (mm) 15.2 29.9 43.2 53.3 66 73.7 81.3 86.4

Intensity (mm/hr) 183 168 130 107 88 74 54 43

Log duration 0.70 1.00 1.30 1.48 1.65 1.78 1.95 2.08

Log intensity 2.26 2.23 2.11 2.03 1.94 1.87 1.73 1.63

Time of Concentration T = 0.02L0.77 S–0.385

When L = 2450m, S = 0.04, and T = 28.1min. Log T = 1.45

At Log T = 1.45, Log I = 2.05, and I = 112mm hr–1

Intensity vs Duration Curve

2.30
2.25
2.20
2.15
2.10
Log Intensity

2.05
2.00
1.95
1.90
1.85
1.80
1.75
1.70
1.65
1.60
0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.1 2.2

Log Duration

Figure 3.1: Log Intensity vs. Log Duration Curve

Page 20 of 20 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

Figure 3.2: Site Plan

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 21 of 21

Figures 3.3 and 3.4: Embankment Cross Sections

Page 22 of 22 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

Figure 3.5: Dimensions for Calculating Volumes

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 23 of 23

Figure 3.6: Spillway Cross Sections

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 Annex J: Maintenance Details

MAINTENANCE OF YOUR EARTH DAM

1 Introduction

The dam on your farm is now complete, with the exception of

those points mentioned by the Engineer and/or Extension Officer
in his covering letter to this memorandum.

However, it will not necessarily stay complete, unless regular

inspection and maintenance works are carried out by you. Your
dam is like your tractor; it is now up to you to ensure by regular
service (that is, maintenance) that it will not require major repairs.
If it does require these extensive repair works we will try to give
you advice on rebuilding, if possible, but by regular maintenance
you can avoid the necessity for large expenditure.

The Department of Conservation and Extension, like your tractor

supplier, is always ready at any time to give you advice on
maintenance and listed below are some points you should watch.

2 Maintenance of fences

Stock must not be allowed to graze on the dam wall or spillway

and its outfall, as erosion will occur. The dam should be fenced off
to prevent this and fences must be kept in good order.

3 Maintenance of grass cover on walls and spillways

The establishment of a good grass cover over the dam wall and on
earth spillways must be achieved at all costs before the rains. This
can be done by spreading about an inch of topsoil and adding 2 to
3 bags of ammonium sulphate to the acre. Only good runner
grasses should be used, and the types recommended are as
follows:

(a) On upstream face: Cynodon dactylon

(b) On crest and downstream face: Cynodon dactylon

(c) On spillways: Cynodon dactylon

Long-turfed grasses such as Hyparrhenia or Rapoko are quite

useless, and must be kept cut short, otherwise they choke out the
good runner grasses and, even more seriously, conceal ant and
vermin workings. Trees and shrubs and their roots must be
removed from the banks as they cause leakage and attract
termites.

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 25 of 25

 Failure to achieve this grass cover in good time, particularly on the
earth spillways and their returns to the stream bed, can
necessitate extensive repairs later.

In subsequent years, the grass cover should be re-established on

bare spots as they occur.

4 Repair of erosion

(a) Embankment The first rains will invariably cause gullying or

rilling of the embankment. These gullies, as they form, should be
repaired by ramming in grass sods, complete with soil. Treated
this way, the gullying can actually help to speed up the grass
cover, but if ignored may endanger the dam.

(b) Spillways Spillway erosion usually starts from tracks and

footpaths in the outfall area. These must be sought out and blanked
off.

During the floods, spillways should be checked almost daily, and

any gullies or waterfalls eliminated as they form. Concentrations
of flow or unprotected drops must be avoided. Fertiliser bags filled
with topsoil and grass roots, grass sods or mats formed of reeds or
long coarse grass, can be used for filling in these danger spots.
Advice should always be sought in cases of serious erosion, but
first-aid measures should be put in hand straight away.

5 Settlement

The crest level of a dam should be checked frequently in the early

life, and at least annually thereafter, to ensure that adequate
freeboard is being maintained.

Settlement cracks frequently form after construction. Hair-cracks,

parallel with the crest, are not serious if closed up to prevent
water entering; large cracks, however, may indicate slipping
foundations, which can cause sudden and complete failure.
Transverse cracks are dangerous if they extend below the water
line. Advice should always be obtained in cases of severe cracking,
as a matter of urgency.

6 Seepage

Nearly all earth dams seep to some extent and unless it amounts
to serious leakage, or appears on the downstream face, this need
cause no alarm. There is no easy cure for a bad leak, as the
trouble lies in conditions under the wall of the dam. Seepage may,
however, be reduced over a long period by puddling the basin with
cattle as the level drops. Wood ash or cowdung distributed over
the suspect area or in the water may also help.

Page 26 of 26 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 NEVER attempt to plug a leak on the downstream side — this is
not only futile but might actually prove dangerous.

7 Drainage

Far more important than eliminating seepage is the rapid disposal

of any water that does penetrate the dam. Water-logging of the
downstream face or of the area below the dam may cause slipping
and collapse of the dam. Dams should be built with adequate
drainage, but where this has not been done and excessive wetness
results, remedial steps under the advice of the engineer or
extension officer should be taken. This will generally consist in the
first instance of an open collector drain, about 18 inches deep,
dug parallel with the toe of the dam and 3 to 4 metres from it and
discharging into the stream bed. Cross drains from the toe of the
dam to this collector should connect in from very wet spots.

If any portion of the dam should be slushy or actually slip, it

should be replaced by gravel or boulders, built in level courses
from ground level upwards.

This is perhaps the most important aspect of maintenance, and in

the event of any trouble whatever, advice should be sought as a
matter of extreme urgency.

8 Ants (termites) and vermin

Ant workings are a major cause of dam failures, frequently

through their workings being concealed by long grass or bush. The
embankment and the area below should be inspected regularly for
this throughout the life of the dam, and for this reason vegetation
should be kept under control.

If workings are found, they should be dealt with as follows:

(a) Make a hole down into the workings with an iron bar, and
push a pipe down this hole — then pour a proven fumigant down
the pipe. Alternatively, close up all visible holes with wads of
cotton wool soaked in carbon disulphide.

(b) Seal up the workings for 48 hours.

(c) Excavate the workings and backfill with good material.

9 Conclusion

The above recommendations should also be followed in

maintaining the earth banks in composite weir/earth dam
structures.

By paying attention to the above, extensive damage to the dam

can be avoided and costly repairs not be incurred. The dam is now

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 27 of 27

 your dam and it is up to you to ensure that you keep it in good
working order.

You should inspect your dam at least once a month during the dry
seasons and at least twice a week during the rains.

Page 28 of 28 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

 Annex K: Project Information

HANDOUT LS2: FARM DAM DESIGN PROJECT

1 Introduction

A rural community near Mtoko in Zimbabwe wish to construct a

dam to supply water mainly for stock watering and domestic use.
A potential site has been found near the road that leads
northwards past the local school. Based on the information
provided, or any other relevant information you can find, you are
asked to assess the suitability of the project and to design the
earth embankment and spillway.

2 Information Available

2.1 Location
The site is located about 7km NW of Mtoko at map reference
156,815 on sheet MTOKO 1732A3 in the Rhodesian 1:50,000
series. A section of this map with the site indicated is attached.
Aerial photography of the area (to unspecified scale) is available
(Run No. 176, photo nos. 773-6). A copy of photo no. 774 is
attached.

2.2 Climate
The attached sheet gives all the available data from the nearest
reliable climate station.

2.3 Soils & Land Use

Soil types in the area may be found from the Soils Map of
Rhodesia 1:1,000,000. Land use may be deduced from the aerial
photography.

2.4 Site Details

The attached site plan and storage-elevation curve have already
been prepared for the site. Test borings have shown that the
topsoil in the area is about 250mm deep and may be classified as
a well-graded sand (SW) on the Unified Soil Classification system.
The subsoil is a silty sand (SM).

2.5 Water Requirements

The water required for all proposed uses is shown in the table
below (in litres/month x 106):

January 0.25 July 0.5

February 0.25 August 0.45
March 0.3 September 0.375
April 0.375 October 0.3
May 0.45 November 0.3
June 0.5 December 0.25

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 29 of 29

 3 Report

Your report should be in the form of a detailed design specification

for the embankment and spillway. The material should be
arranged in the following manner.

i) Summary outlining the principal features to the design

you have adopted. (This should be fairly brief and to the
point).

ii) Design details setting out the information required for

construction and maintenance. It should also include any
peculiarities of the design or the field conditions which
might require special attention during construction or for
maintenance purposes. (Do not include lengthy
mathematical work — put that in the annexes).

iii) Annexes including hydrologic design details.

Note: 1) both sections ii) and iii) may be subdivided if necessary.

2) any assumption you have to make should be clearly
stated.

SJP
23.2.78

SOILS INFORMATION

Soil Type 5G
Mainly moderately shallow, greyish-brown, coarse-grained sands,
throughout the profile, to similar sandy loams over reddish brown
sandy clay loans; formed on granitic rocks.

Soil Type 6G
Moderately deep to deep, greyish-brown, coarse-grained sands
over pale loamy sands, to similar sandy loams over yellowish-red
sandy clay loams or, occasionally, sandy clays; clay fraction
essentially ferrallitic (no 2:1 lattice minerals), but reserves of
weatherable minerals are appreciable; base saturations range from
about 30 to 60%; E/C values lower than about 15me; formed on
granitic rocks.

Soil Type 11
Non-calcic hydromorphic group: mainly sands, which are leached
and strongly acid in reaction, with base saturation lower than
about 50%.

Page 30 of 30 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam

HANDOUT LS3: LOCATION OF PROPOSED DAM

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 31 of 31

HANDOUT LS3B: CLIMATOLOGICAL DETAILS
AGRICULTURAL CLIMATE OF MARANDELLAS (GRASSLANDS RESEARCH STATION)—LATITUDE 18°10′S LONGITUDE 31°30′E ALTITUDE 5400 FT.

Period
July Aug. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. March April May June Year used
Rainfall (inches)
Average 0·07 0·10 0·29 1·33 4·37 7·72 8·44 7·05 5·46 1·38 0·49 0·14 36·84 1901 – 56
Greatest 1·01 1·44 4·93 7·52 11·21 23·31 19·53 14·12 16·83 5·12 7·04 1·30 71·53 1900 – 61
Year 1907 1936 1951 1922 1900 1917 1946 1907 1923 1961 1911 1941 1924 – 25 1900 – 61
Least ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ 0·42 2·08 1·65 0·37 0·15 ⎯ ⎯ ⎯ 18·21 1900 – 61
Year Many Many Many Some 1912 1944 1922 1903 1933 Many Many Many 1923 – 24 1900 – 61
Evaporation
(inches) 4·84 5·95 6·82 7·79 6·84 6·89 6·95 6·43 6·66 5·95 5·18 4·54 74·84
Average per
month
Average per day 0·16 0·19 0·23 0·25 0·23 0·22 0·22 0·23 0·21 0·20 0·17 0·15
Maximum per day 0·21 0·25 0·30 0·32 0·33 0·33 0·33 0·33 0·29 0·26 0·22 0·20
Potential
Evapotranspiration 4·02 4·94 5·66 6·47 5·67 5·72 5·77 5·34 5·53 4·94 4·30 3·77
(inches)

Rainy season Mean date of starting 9th November Planting rains 20% probability by 20th October
Mean date of ending 16th March 40% probability by 4th November
Mean duration 128 days 60% probability by 10th November
Seasonal rainfall 33·32 in. 80% probability by 22nd
November
Effective rainfall 22·38 in.

Waterlogging rains (at least 5 in. of rain in a five-day period, followed by further raindays, number of spells in a 30-year period)
Length of spell in days 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 > Total rainfall in spell 5 in. 7 in. 9 in. 11 in. 13 in. 15 in. 17 in.
13 exceeding
Number of spells 4 7 4 2 3 ⎯ ⎯ 2 2 Number of spells 24 10 4 2 1 1 ⎯
⎯

Overcast spells (with little or no sunshine, totals for a 12-year

period)
Number of days In spell 3 4 5 6 7 8 >8
Number of spells 17 8 5 2 ⎯ 2 ⎯

Rainfall duration (probable maximum amount of rain, inches)

5 mins. 10 mins. 20 mins. 30 mins. 45 mins. 60 mins. 90 mins. 120
mins.

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 Once in 1 year 0.3 0.5 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.7
5 years 0.4 0.8 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.4
20 years 0.5 0.9 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.8 3.0
50 years 0.6 1.1 1.7 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.2 3.4

Extracted from: Agricultural Climate of Southern Rhodesia, Rhodesian Meteorological Service, August 1962

Mtoko Dam Page 33 of 33

HANDOUT LS4: SITE PLAN

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HANDOUT LS4B: STORAGE-ELEVATION CURVE

Storage vs Elevation Curve

98

97

96
Elevation (m)

95

94

93

92
0 5 10 15 20 25
Storage (m3 x 1000)

Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam Page 35 of 35

HANDOUT LS5: AERIAL PHOTOGRAPH

Photo 774. Top 3750’. Bottom 3550’. 49mm in 1:50,000. 103mm in 1:23,786

49mm = 2.45km. 35mm = 1.75km. 40mm = 2.00km. 56.0cm². 53.5cm². =

3.027km²

Page 36 of 36 Design and Construction Details for Mtoko Dam