Review of “River Training and Sediment Management with Submerged Vanes” by A. Jacob Odgaard“River Training and Sediment Management with Submerged Vanes”ASCE Press$75.00

Abstract

Channel stabilization and restoration efforts have increased dramatically across the nation during recent decades with over $1B spent on these endeavors every year since 1990 Bernhardt et al. 2005 . It is estimated however, that at least 50% of these projects fail O’Neil and Fitch 1992 and others may not perform to original expectations. This is due to the complex physical processes governing interaction of turbulence in the water column with sediments in the stream and bank. Consequently, stream restoration today is more of an art than a science and relies heavily on an analog method that emphasizes a prescribed design approach rather than the application of physically based hydraulic engineering principles to attain performance-based criteria Slate et al. 2007 . The use of in-stream, low-flow structures as channel stabilization measures has become a preferred solution of federal, state, and local governmental agencies Johnson et al. 2002 . These measures have gained acceptance because of their potential to enhance aquatic habitat while directing flow away from the banks and dissipating flow energy Kauffman et al. 1997 . Despite their potential for success, these structures suffer from a lack of proven engineering design criteria, which if available, would certainly reduce the risk of failure, increase cost-effectiveness and expand their use. Odgaard attempts to end this uncertainty for one such structure in his recent publication, River Training and Sediment Management with Submerged Vanes. The author recognizes that while there are several existing publications demonstrating the viability of submerged vanes, readily available design guidelines are still lacking. The book is divided into six chapters. In the first chapter some background information about the vanes, together with possible problems that they can be used to mitigate, is provided. It is pointed out that though the idea was originally proposed in 1947 by Potapov and Pyshkin, systematic laboratory research and development efforts toward the improvement of vane design to render it a more effective flow and sediment control measure didn’t start until about 35 years later Odgaard and Kennedy 1983 . Soon after that field testing followed. The theory and development of submerged vanes is discussed in the second chapter in the context of bank erosion and bed scour prevention, water intake sediment protection, and shoaling prevention. Results from labo-