River & Physical Modeling Experience - David L. Derrick For 19
years Mr. Derrick was the principle investigator on many
physical movable-bed model studies involving some of the most
hydraulically complex reaches of the Mississippi River. These
research projects have involved the application of various river
training structures to solve a number of environmental,
navigation, and dredging He was instrumental in the development
and implementation of the Bendway Weir methodology for navigable
rivers, non-navigable rivers, streams, and very small streams. A
Bendway Weir is an upstream-angled underwater sill. Water
flowing over the weir is redirected at an angle perpendicular to
the weir. When the weirs are angled upstream water is directed
away from the outer bank and toward the inner part of the bend.
The river’s secondary currents in the bend are broken up. Weirs
are typically built in sets (4 to 14 weirs per bend) and are
designed to act as a system to capture, control, and redirect
current directions and veloc