Civil Engineering Professional Engineer Practice Exam

Weirs and floodgates are hydraulic structures specifically designed to manage and control water flow in rivers. They serve multiple purposes, including regulating the water level upstream, preventing flooding, measuring flow rates, and diverting water for irrigation or other uses.

Weirs allow for a controlled discharge that can be adjusted based on river conditions, while floodgates can be completely opened or closed, allowing for more significant control over high flows during flood events. Together, these structures play a critical role in flood risk management and river flow regulation, providing essential benefits for both natural ecosystems and human activities.

Bridges primarily facilitate transportation over water bodies without significantly impacting water flow management. Canals are artificial waterways designed for navigation or irrigation rather than primarily controlling natural stream flow. Dam spillways are specific to dams and handle overflow but do not serve the broader range of flow control functions provided by weirs and floodgates. Thus, the choice of weirs and floodgates reflects their unique capabilities in regulating river water levels and flow rates effectively.