2027 Webinar: Auxiliary Spillway Erosion Mitigation Strategies
Includes a Live Web Event on 12/14/2027 at 12:00 PM (EST)
Speakers: Karl Visser, PE, Freese & Nichols, Dam and Levee Engineer; James McNash, PE, Freese and Nichols, Senior Engineer/Engineer VI
PDHs: This webinar is eligible for 2 PDH credits.
This webinar will focus on estimating erosion potential in earthen or vegetated non-structural spillways, identifying the hydraulic limits of earth and vegetated auxiliary spillways, and developing effective methods for repairing erosion in existing non-structural spillways. Additional considerations include evaluating opportunities to increase the capacity of existing earth and vegetated spillways, as well as identifying structural alternatives for replacing non-structural spillways when improved capacity, reliability, or risk reduction is required.
Key Takeaways:
1. Estimating erosion potential in non-structural spillways.
2. Identifying hydraulic limits for earth/vegetated auxiliary spillways.
3. Repairing erosion in an existing non-structural spillway.
4. Adding capacity to an existing earth/vegetated spillway.
5. Identifying structural alternatives for replacing an earth/vegetated non-structural spillway.
Karl Visser
Senior Dam and Levee Engineer
Freese & Nichols
Karl is an experienced water resources engineer with deep expertise in auxiliary spillway erosion, dam breach analysis, and H&H design. He has provided technical guidance to federal, state and international users. Karl’s experience spans reviewing more than 200 dam rehabilitation projects nationwide, contributing to the 2019 update of the National Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) TR-60 Earth Dams and Embankments and mentoring the next generation of hydraulic engineers. He has also led training in various hydrology software, reviewed complex CFD models and co-led NRCS HEC-RAS efforts. Karl is known for communicating complex engineering concepts clearly, bringing technical depth and practical insight to water infrastructure challenges.
James McNash, PE
Senior Engineer / Engineer VI
Freese and Nichols
James is a civil and geotechnical engineer for Freese and Nichols, Inc., practicing in dams and levees out of their Charlotte, North Carolina office. He has led or served as the geotechnical engineer for over thirty flood control dams and surface impoundments, evaluating the stability, erodibility, and performance of the embankments and spillways. In addition, he has experience characterizing subsurface stratigraphy, estimating engineering properties, and modeling earthen spillways within both SITES and WINDAM. He holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and is a licensed professional engineer in several states within the southeastern United States.
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