Flood Frequency Analysis and Hydraulic Design of Bridge at Mashan on River Kunhar

Kunhar River hydrology and hydraulic design of a bridge on this river are being studied using HEC-Geo-RAS and Hydrologic Engineering Centers River Analysis System (HEC-RAS). The river flows in the northern part of Pakistan and is 170 km long. On both sides of the river, there are residential settlements. The river hydraulics is studied by using 30-metre remotely sensed shuttle radar topographic mission - digital elevation model (SRTM DEM) and Arc Map. 32 cross-sections are imported from Geographic Information System (GIS) to HEC-RAS. On historical peak flow results, the extreme value frequency distribution is applied, and a flood is determined for a 100-year return period, with a discharge estimated as 2223 cubic metres. Three steady flow profiles are adopted for HEC-RAS, the first is for the maximum historical peak data, the second is for the 100-year return period, and the third profile is for the latter 100-year period with a safety factor of 1.28. With remote sensing-based assessments, the proposed location for a bridge is determined and then verified with a field survey which was physically conducted. The maximum water height estimated in the river is about 4.26 m. This bridge will facilitate about 50 thousand population of Masahan and its surroundings. It will create a shortest link between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir and thus will enhance tourism and trade activities.