---
title: "Common RoR intakes in Nepal; site selection"
subject: "Hydropower Engineering"
chapter: 5
key: "semester_7/hydropower_engineering:ror-common-intakes-nepal-location"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/ror-common-intakes-nepal-location
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Common RoR intakes in Nepal; site selection

Hydropower Engineering · Chapter 5: Headworks of Run-of- River (RoR) Plants

- Asked in: 2082 Baishakh, 1+3 marks; 2079 Baishakh, 3+3 marks (asked 2 times)
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/ror-common-intakes-nepal-location
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/hydropower_engineering/chapter-5

## Question

What are the most commonly used intakes in Run-of-River projects in Nepal? What factors do you consider while selecting the site for intake location?

## Short answer

Common intakes in Nepal are side intakes (most common) and bottom (Tyrolean) intakes for steep streams. Site selection factors: outer bank of a stable bend, good foundation, sufficient head for gravity flow, away from sediment zones, good access, narrow section for weir, flood safety, and minimal environmental impact.

## Answer

#### Intakes commonly used in RoR projects in Nepal
1. **Side intake**: an opening in the river bank, with a trash rack and gate, built at the side of the weir and undersluice. It is the most common type in Nepal because the river carries a large bed load and the flow can be diverted with simple structures.
2. **Bottom (Tyrolean / drop) intake**: a trench with a rack across the river bed in steep, boulder-carrying streams; water drops through the bars into a collection chamber (used in small hydropower and micro-hydro projects in the hills).
3. **Frontal intake**: an opening at the front of the weir facing the flow (less common because it takes much bed load).

#### Factors for selecting the intake location
- **Outer (concave) bank of a stable river bend**, where the secondary current moves bed load away from the intake; or a straight stable reach.
- **Stable river reach and good foundation**: rock or firm soil; no active landslide or erosion.
- **Sufficient head and level** to give gravity flow to the settling basin and headrace without long canals.
- **Away from sediment deposition zones**, confluences of tributaries and high debris areas.
- **Good access** for construction, operation and maintenance.
- **Cheap river training and weir construction**: a narrow section where the weir is short, and enough space for the gravel trap and settling basin close by.
- **Flood safety**: high flood level, minimal flood damage to the headworks and powerhouse.
- **Environmental and social**: minimum effect on existing water users, fish and forest.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Which is the most common intake in Nepal's RoR projects?
   A. Side intake
   B. Tyrolean intake
   C. Frontal intake
   D. Reservoir tower intake
   Answer: A. The side intake handles heavy bed load with simple structures. (Key point: Common intake)

2. Where is a bottom (Tyrolean) intake used?
   A. Large lowland rivers
   B. Steep boulder-carrying streams, small and micro hydro
   C. Deep reservoirs
   D. Wide meandering rivers
   Answer: B. Water drops through bars in the bed of steep streams while boulders pass over. (Key point: Tyrolean use)

3. Where is the intake best located on a river bend?
   A. Inner (convex) bank
   B. At a tributary confluence
   C. Outer (concave) bank of a stable bend
   D. In a sediment deposition zone
   Answer: C. Secondary current at the outer bank carries bed load away from the opening. (Key point: Intake location)

## Related in Hydropower Engineering

- [RoR headworks sketch; intake importance and location](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aror-headworks-arrangement-intake-location) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5
- [Parts of pressurized and non-pressurized RoR intake](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aintake-parts-pressurized-nonpressurized-sketch) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5
- [Requirements of a good intake; types in Nepal](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aintake-requirements-types-nepal) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 5
- [RoR and PRoR from hydrograph equation (Q40)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Aror-pror-hydrograph-equation-q40) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 3
- [Intakes for storage plants](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Astorage-plant-intake-types-arrangement) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 4, asked 2×
- [Dam site evaluation factors; gravity dam failure modes](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fhydropower_engineering%3Agravity-dam-site-evaluation-failure-modes) — Hydropower Engineering, chapter 4

## Related in other subjects

- [Intake site selection for RoR plant](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Fhydro_power%3Aintake-site-selection-ror) — Hydro Power, chapter 5
- [General river intake and site selection](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Ageneral-river-intake) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 5, asked 3×
- [Reservoir intake and site selection factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fwater_supply_engineering%3Areservoir-intake-site-factors) — Water Supply Engineering, chapter 5, asked 2×
- [Why a canal fall; site selection factors](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Firrigation_and_drainage_engineering%3Acanal-fall-purpose-site-selection) — Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, chapter 7