Memphis Harbor, Mississippi River: Model Investigation
Abstract
Tests to determine the feasibility of a plan to supplement present harbor facilities at Memphis, Tennessee, were conducted on a model built to a horizontal scale of 1:600 and a vertical scale of 1:150 and so constructed that it could be operated either as a fixed-bed model or as a movable-bed model. Of particular interest in the study was the determination of effects the various proposed plans of improvement would have on flood heights and channel configurations. Results of the fixed-bed model tests, which were conducted with 1937 channel conditions installed, indicated that: (a) installation of the plan as originally designed would increase flood heights at Memphis approximately 3.2 ft* for the 1937 flood and 3.1 ft for the project flood; (b) omission of the left-bank chute levee from the plan would reduce the crest stages of the 1937 and project floods at Memphis as shown in (a) above by about 0.3 ft and 0.1 ft, respectively; and (c) the lower end of the industrial fill and the northwest corner of the left-bank chute levee would be subjected to strong current attack. Results of the movable-bed model tests indicated that: (a) the stabilization works at the head of Presidents Island in the original design would be subjected to strong current attack and would increase shoaling on the bar opposite the Engineer Depot; (b) modifications to the original plan would reduce the current attack and shoaling mentioned in (a); and (c) installation of either the original or modified plan would subject the Bauxippi revetment to increased current attack (maximum channel velocities increased 50 per cent) and would increase shoaling in the mouth of Tennessee Chute.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1950
- Accession Number
- ADA637733