Design and Performance of Drainage Systems for Long Term Stability

Drainage systems serve many tasks related to the performance of dams, auxiliary structures and reservoirs. But for developing an appropriate design, which efficiently handles the prevailing tasks, comprehensive information on hydrogeological parameters, hydrogeological regime and geological setting must be elaborated. The contribution points out pitfalls experienced in this context, their potential consequences and mentions practical precautions. Several case histories illustrate the performance of drainage systems, successfully coping with complex conditions. But drainage systems are not only demanding in design, they also need sustained monitoring and maintenance to assure the safety of the projects on the long term.