Smithland Hydroelectric Project, Ohio River

Alden's Modeling of the Smithland Lock and Dam powerhouse project is an example of coordinated use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and physical modeling to resolve performance, navigation, constructability and cost issues in the design of a low head hydropower project.  A 1:120 scale physical model together with a two dimensional computational river and sediment transport model were used to evaluate the impacts of American Municipal Power's project on lock navigation and sediment deposition.  A separate 1:60 scale physical model was used together with CFD to optimize the intake channel.