Backward analysis of the Bílá Desná dam break outflow

Backward analysis of the Bílá Desná dam break outflow

Článek WoS

In September 1916, the Austro-Hungarian Empire (today the Czech Republic) experienced the failure ofthe embankment dam Bílá Desná (historically named Weiße Desse), which at that time was the most disastrous damfailure in central Europe. In this study, available information on the failure of the Bílá Desná dam was gathered andanalysed. The initiating cause of the Bílá Desná dam failure was an internal erosion. For the backward analysis ofthe dam failure, the method of analogy, empirical formulae, and three numerical models, AREBA, DL Breach andHEC-RAS were used. Due to uncertainty in the reservoir volume, the solution was carried out for the originallydetermined (during the dam design) and newly determined reservoir volumes. The analysis indicates the peak breachoutflow range between about 360 and 810 m3/s. The most realistic and probable peak outflow discharge is about 520m3/s. The comparison of individual methods indicate that the AREBA numerical model using Opendata (2024)provides the most realistic failure hydrograph.

In September 1916, the Austro-Hungarian Empire (today the Czech Republic) experienced the failure ofthe embankment dam Bílá Desná (historically named Weiße Desse), which at that time was the most disastrous damfailure in central Europe. In this study, available information on the failure of the Bílá Desná dam was gathered andanalysed. The initiating cause of the Bílá Desná dam failure was an internal erosion. For the backward analysis ofthe dam failure, the method of analogy, empirical formulae, and three numerical models, AREBA, DL Breach andHEC-RAS were used. Due to uncertainty in the reservoir volume, the solution was carried out for the originallydetermined (during the dam design) and newly determined reservoir volumes. The analysis indicates the peak breachoutflow range between about 360 and 810 m3/s. The most realistic and probable peak outflow discharge is about 520m3/s. The comparison of individual methods indicate that the AREBA numerical model using Opendata (2024)provides the most realistic failure hydrograph.

Bílá Desná; Dam; Breach; Internal erosion; Backward analysis

Bílá Desná; Dam; Breach; Internal erosion; Backward analysis

ŘÍHA, J.; KOTAŠKA, S.

01.06.2026

Journal of Hydrology and Hydromechanics

74

2

Slovenská republika

84

97

14

http://www.uh.sav.sk/vc_articles/2026_74_2_Riha_84.pdf