Waves and wave overtopping on reservoir structures

This paper reviews recent guidance (and associated calculation tools) to predict waves and wave overtopping of reservoir containment structures. It appraises the applicability of recent advances in overtopping analysis intended primarily for coastal structures, but argues that they can equally be applied to the analysis of dams and other reservoir structures. It therefore suggests that a shift in the analysis of dam crest levels to limit wave overtopping discharges may now be timely.