Sluice gates control water levels and discharge them into small irrigation canals. This study
examined a modified stilling basin incorporating submerged baffle piers downstream. The
study analyzed hydraulic-jump characteristics, energy-dissipation efficiency, velocity
distribution patterns, water-level fluctuations, and bed configurations resulting from flow
downstream of the sluice gate. The experimental program comprised ninety runs using ten
stilling basin models. These models involve various stilling basins with different baffle pier
heights and angles, tested under a range of flow conditions. A smooth apron without baffle
piers served as the reference case for comparison. Results showed that baffle piers with a
height of 12 cm and a 45° angle oriented against the flow optimized stilling basin
performance, improving flow characteristics and minimizing bed configuration. This
optimal design decreased dimensionless jump length by 45-47%, increased energy
dissipation efficiency by 46-60%, and reduced maximum velocity by 33% compared to the
smooth apron across the tested Froude number range. Based on these results, a multiple
regression analysis was conducted to develop an empirical equation to predict energy
dissipation in the modified stilling basins. These findings provide practical design
guidelines for optimizing the performance of stilling basins in small irrigation canal
systems.