View source for 748.3 Freeboard

[[image:748.3 Photo Bridge Freeboard.jpg|right|400 px]]
==748.3.1 Open Channels==

One measure of freeboard in open channels is vertical distance from the design water surface elevation to the top of the channel. Another measure of freeboard in open channels is the vertical distance from the design water surface elevation to the top of the channel lining. 

{| border="1" class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+ 
!style="background:#BEBEBE" colspan="2" |Minimum Freeboard for Ditches
|-
|Roadside Ditches||width=100 align="center" |	1 ft.
|-
!style="background:#BEBEBE" colspan="2" |Ditch Liners
|-
|Rock Ditch Liner||align="center" |	3 in.
|-
|Paved Ditch Liner||align="center" |	3 in.
|-
|Gabion Ditch Liner||align="center" |	3 in.
|}

==748.3.2 Median Inlets==

See [[640.2 Median Drainage#640.2.5 Median Inlet Capacities|EPG 640.2.5 Median Inlet Capacities]].

==748.3.3 Storm Sewers==

See [[750.4 Storm Sewers#750.4.4.8 Freeboard|EPG 750.4.4.8 Freeboard]].

==748.3.4 Levees==

Freeboard for levees is the vertical distance from the design water surface elevation to the top of the levee.

FEMA accredited levees must provide a minimum of 3 ft. of freeboard. An additional foot of freeboard is required within 100 ft. of either side of structures (such as bridges) on the riverward side of the levee or whenever the flow is constricted. Levee freeboard should be confirmed as occasionally exceptions to the minimum freeboard requirements are approved by FEMA.

==748.3.5 Bridges and Culverts==

Bridge freeboard is the clearance between the lower limit of the bridge superstructure or the bottom of the culvert top slab and the [[748.6 High Water Surface Elevation#748.6.3 Freeboard High Water|Freeboard High Water]] surface elevation. An appropriate amount of freeboard allows for the safe passage of ice and debris through the structure (not typically required for culverts). The minimum grade elevation for bridges is obtained by adding minimum freeboard and superstructure depth to the freeboard high water surface elevation. 

===748.3.5.1 Final Design===

Bridge freeboard should be verified during final design. Any change to the freeboard should be noted on the design layout.

===748.3.5.2 Design Frequency===

Bridge freeboard should be based on a 50-year flood frequency.

===748.3.5.3 Minimum Freeboard===

{| border="1" class="wikitable" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto"
|+ '''Minimum Bridge Freeboard'''
!style="background:#BEBEBE"|Structure Type||style="background:#BEBEBE"|Minimum Freeboard
|-
| colspan="2" | '''Headwater:''' 	
|-
|Bridges with Drainage Area &ge; 20 mi<sup>2</sup>|| align="center"|2 ft
|-
|Bridges with Drainage Area < 20 mi<sup>2</sup>|| align="center"|1 ft
|-
|Temporary Bridges|| align="center"|1 ft
|-
|Culverts|| align="center"|0 ft
|-
|colspan="2"|'''Backwater from another stream:'''
|-
|Bridges||align="center"|1 ft
|-
|Culverts||align="center"|0.0 ft
|}

When the drainage area produces unusually large amount of debris, additional freeboard to protect the structure is desirable. If the drainage area produces very little debris a design exception may be used to reduce the minimum freeboard.

===748.3.5.4 Limits===

For bridges on continuous grade or on a crest vertical curve only a portion of the bridge needs to meet the freeboard requirement. For these bridge types, the area of required freeboard may be taken as shown below.

[[image:748.3.5.4 Continuous.jpg|850px|thumb|center|<center>'''Freeboard for bridge with continuous grade'''</center>]]

[[image:748.3.5.4 Vertical.jpg|850px|thumb|center|<center>'''Freeboard for bridge with crest vertical curve'''</center>]]


[[Category:748 Hydraulics and Drainage|748.03]]