Slit Dam Design for Debris Flow Mitigation

Debris flows cause the destruction of engineering facilities including buildings, roads, and culverts. A slit dam may be used to control small volumes of debris that can damage or destroy small watershed infrastructure, such as culverts. The height and spacing of the dam posts and the location of the dam are the primary design factors. The posts may be arranged in single or double rows with the spacing of the slits a function of the culvert diameter being protected. The height of the dam is a function of the slope on which it is placed. The advantages of slit dams include the simplicity of design and installation and the relatively low cost. They are also stronger than other baffle systems and debris fences.