Tailwater and Headwater as they pertain to Floodwalls

[CWEngineer]

I have been trying to find out the definition of tailwater and headwater as they pertain to Floodwalls.

I have read how they pertain to conduits, dams, etc. but not how they relate to floodwalls.

From researching I believe the Tailwater is the water elevation on the landside of the floodwall and Headwater is the water elevation on the waterside of the floodwall.

I would appreciate if you guys can lead me to some literature that this describes this, or can verify my assumption.

Thanks

 

[flamby]

Head water is the water upstream of the dam whereas tail water is at the downstream of dam. The level of tail water is generally called TWL (Tail Water Level).

Head water
-----------|
|\dam
Tail water
-------------------- flow--->

 

[CWEngineer]

Thanks. But I am trying to figuere out how those two terms relate to a floodwall.

 

[LeoSC]

gman1,

For dams the headwater and the tailwater numenclature are as explained by flame. However, it seems that for floodwalls there is no consistency in numenclature. My own inclination is to call the "headwater" where the water is, and "tailwater" where I want it to go.

In the case of a floodwall, if I was designing the drainage system, I would call the protected side the headwater and the floodway the tailwater.

I found the following document

http://www.usace.army.mil/publications/eng-tech-ltrs/etl1110-2-367/c-4.pdf

, which supports my own preference.

In any case, I suggest that you call each side as you see fit, be consistent and add a glossary to your report.