TIDEWATER CONTROL SYSTEM
A system and method for assisting the flow of water in rivers, streams and tributaries using the propulsive power of anchored marine vessels to move water in the direction of flow to aid flow and lower water levels in rivers, streams and tributaries.
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/495216 (“the '216 application”) filed Jun. 9, 2011. The '216 application is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe invention relates to systems for controlling the flow of water in rivers, lakes and manmade channels in order to lower water or tide levels in flooding or other adverse situations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAs evidenced by recent events, severe flooding is a constant problem for those areas in the nation near rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade. A primary example is the flooding caused by the Mississippi River and its tributaries that drain most of the mid United States. The Mississippi River normally flows at approximately 700,000 to 200,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). When snow and rainfall levels in the North are abnormally high, the Mississippi is forced to drain more water than it can safely handle thereby causing higher water levels with overtopping of the levee protection system. In addition this higher river volume increases the water flow rate threatening the structure of the levees. Other natural phenomenon such as the development of sand bars at the mouth of a river cause the river speed to drastically drop, further limiting the ability of the river to move the enormous volume of water draining into it.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system or method that will assist the flow of water in rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade to lower tide or water levels in order to prevent flooding of homes and properties. Typically, a river is flowing into another body of water such as an ocean, or a drainage canal may flow into a lake. Prime examples are the Mississippi River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, and drainage canals in the City of New Orleans flowing into Lake Ponchartrain. The draining river or canal must overcome the existing tidewater or water level of the receiving body for water to drain. By anchoring a crew boat or large vessel or a fleet of such vessels at the mouth of the Mississippi River and pointed into the flow of the River, with the engines running, the higher tide will be pushed back into the Gulf, lowering the River level and aiding flow.
It is an object of this invention to use the propulsive power of marine vessels to move water in the direction of drainage to assist in the natural gravity flow of a river or a canal. Marine vessels are normally powered to be propelled in the water but, if the vessel is retarded or firmly anchored and pointed against the flow of a river and given propulsive power, the propellers will move water in the direction of the river flow, thereby serving as an adjunct or assist to the river flow. By employing a multiplicity of highly powered commercial vessels such as commonly used in the offshore industries, a significant power assist could be provided to river flow.
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Claims
1. A method for assisting the natural gravity flow of a river or canal into an ocean or lake comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one powered marine vessel with at least one propeller;
- pointing the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal;
- powering the propellers of the marine vessel
- anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal; and
- moving water with the propeller in the same direction as the natural gravity flow of a river or canal, thereby increasing the flow.
2. The method of claim 1 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel in a direction opposite the natural gravity flow of a river or canal, further includes anchoring the marine vessel at the mouth of a river or canal.
3. The method of claim 3 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel at the mouth of a river or canal further includes anchoring the marine vessel beyond a sandbar at the mouth of a river or canal to reduce the size of the sandbar.
4. A method for lowering the water level of a body of water flowing into a receiving body of water comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one powered marine vessel with at least one propeller;
- pointing the marine vessel into the point of flow from the body of water;
- powering the propellers of the marine vessel
- anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel into the body of water flowing into a receiving body of water; and
- moving water with the propeller in the same direction as the flow of water into the receiving body of water, thereby lowering the water level.
5. The method of claim 4 where the step of anchoring the marine vessel to prevent forward motion of the marine vessel into the body of water further includes anchoring the marine vessel where the body of water flows into the receiving body of water.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 8, 2012
Publication Date: Dec 13, 2012
Inventors: Angelo Vincent Quaglino, JR. (Chalmette, LA), Angelo Vincent Quaglino, III (Chalmette, LA)
Application Number: 13/492,070