Bathymetric monitoring of alluvial river bottom changes for purposes of stability of water power plant structure with a new methodology for river bottom hazard mapping (Wloclawek, Poland)

Abstract

The aim of this research was to produce a new methodology for a special river bottom hazard mapping for the stability purposes of the biggest Polish water power plant: Wloclawek. During the operation period of the water power plant, an engineering-geological issue in the form of pothole formation on the Wisla River bed in the gravel-sand alluvium was observed. This was caused by increased fluvial erosion resulting from a reduced water level behind the power plant, along with frequent changes in the water flow rates and water levels caused by the varying technological and economic operation needs of the power plant. Data for the research were obtained by way of a 4-year geodetic/bathymetric monitoring of the river bed implemented using integrated GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), RTS (Robotized Total Station) and SBES (Single Beam Echo Sounder) methods. The result is a customized river bottom hazard map which takes into account a high, medium, and low risk levels of the potholes for the water power plant structure. This map was used to redevelop the river bed by filling. The findings show that high hazard is related to 5% of potholes (capacity of 4308 m(3)), medium with 38% of potholes (capacity of 36,455 m(3)), and low hazard with 57% of potholes (capacity of 54,396 m(3)). Since the construction of the dam, changes due to erosion identified by the monitoring have concerned approximately 405,252 m(3)of the bottom, which corresponds to 130 Olympic-size pools. This implies enormous changes, while a possible solution could be the construction of additional cascades on the Wisla River.