Abstract: A precast dam structure includes at least two precast segments coupled together via linkages and a flow path structure. The flow path structure defines a flow path having an intake port and a draft port and is associated with at least one of the at least two precast segments. The flow path structure is configured to provide a change in flow direction, either internally or externally, from the at least one of the at least two precast segments.

Abstract: A barrage with a function of collecting floating garbage on a water surface is provided. It includes a first dam body as a main body of the barrage provided with multiple built-in low water level drainage channels and high water level drainage channels, a second dam body provided with multiple notches for converging floating garbage on the water surface, a garbage collecting and storing equipment arranged between the first dam body and the second dam body and a solar power generating equipment. The garbage collecting and storing equipment maintains running of the garbage conveyor belt by utilizing electric energy provided by the solar power generating equipment, thereby collecting garbage in a garbage pool beside the barrage. It not only has conventional functions of the barrage, but also greatly saves cost of manually salvaging garbage and avoids water pollution caused by accumulation of garbage on the river surface.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes a weir with an upstream wall, a downstream wall, side walls, a base and a top opening. Located inside the weir is a chamber. Formed on the upstream wall is an influent port hole that allows water flowing against the upstream wall to flow into the chamber. Formed on the downstream wall is an effluent port hole that allows water to exit the chamber. Located inside the chamber is water treatment equipment. When the weir is placed in a waterway with the upstream wall facing upstream and the influent port hole is at least partially submerged, water flows into the influent port hole and into the chamber and undergoes treatment by the water treatment equipment. The water then flows against the inside surface of the downstream wall and exits the weir through the effluent port hole and returns to the waterway downstream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pondage device (1) including a dam (2) and an improvement (3), arranged downstream from said dam, referred to as a “downstream improvement”. Said device is characterized in that it includes at least one flexible cylinder (4) positioned between said dam (2) and said improvement (3), and in that said flexible cylinder (4) includes a chamber (41) inside of which water is stored, said chamber being at least partially defined by a deformable membrane (40), said chamber (41) being kept under pressure by pressurization means (5).

Abstract: A system for controllably adjusting spent water levels in the tailrace pool area of a hydroelectric power-generating dam installed into a waterway. The system comprises: (a) a controllably adjustable weir device installed into a downstream portion of the waterway adjacent a distal end of the tailrace pool area. The controllably adjustable weir device is configured for controllably impeding the egress of spent water from the tailrace pool area, (b) an apparatus provided with operative components configured for manipulating the controllably adjustable weir device to controllably increase and decrease the impediment therewith of spent water egress from the tailrace pool area. The operative components are serviceable from above the spent water, and (c) a control device configured for communicating and cooperating with the apparatus for manipulating the controllably adjustable weir therewith.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a fusible shutter for a water structure such as a river sill, or a spillway on a dam or on a protective dyke, including a solid element disposed on the top of the structure and held on top by gravity, forming a watertight or substantially watertight wall, installed on the water structure and being able to retract so as to allow water to pass without obstruction when the level of the reservoir or watercourse reaches a predefined level, a chamber being formed at the base of the solid element between the latter and the surface that supports it, pressurization means enabling the chamber to be filled with water in order to create under the solid element a thrust directed upwards when the water in the reservoir or watercourse reaches the predefined level.

Abstract: Dams are a useful source of energy. An embodiment of a dam according to the present invention includes precast segments configured to be coupled together to form a dam optionally used to generate energy. An embodiment includes encasing an existing dam structure using interconnected precast segments. An underpinning system may penetrate the existing dam structure and be employed to assist in maintaining position of the dam or segmental components. A further embodiment includes encasing a main energy generation component using interconnected precast segments formed from a composite material including electrically conducting fibers, an electric circuit configured to measure and report the electrical resistance using a transmitter or transceiver to a dam stress/strain monitoring server. The electrical circuit may be powered directly or indirectly by available power supplied by the main energy generation component.

Abstract: Dams are a useful source of energy. An embodiment of a dam according to the present invention includes precast segments configured to be coupled together to form a dam optionally used to generate energy. An embodiment includes a spillway extender to prevent upstream or downstream erosion of a riverbed at the dam. An underpinning system may be employed to assist in maintaining position of the dam or segmental components. Solar panel energy generation systems and battery storage may be associated with the segmental dam to store energy and, optionally, produce auxiliary power for subsystems associated with the dam, such as for supporting automated spillway control gate level control or automated gearing system control to control a gear ratio associated with rotating or other moving parts used to convert kinetic energy of water into electrical energy.

Abstract: Dams are a useful source of energy. An embodiment of a dam according to the present invention includes precast segments configured to be coupled together to form a dam optionally used to generate energy. An embodiment includes a spillway extender to prevent upstream or downstream erosion of a riverbed at the dam. An underpinning system may be employed to assist in maintaining position of the dam or segmental components. Solar panel energy generation systems and battery storage may be associated with the segmental dam to store energy and, optionally, produce auxiliary power for subsystems associated with the dam, such as for supporting automated spillway control gate level control or automated gearing system control to control a gear ratio associated with rotating or other moving parts used to convert kinetic energy of water into electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reducing the environmental impact caused downstream by water extracted from a hydraulic dam which includes a floating structure in the surface water, connected to the water inlet of a tube and designed to float in the surface water, and a water outlet of the tube connectable to a feed gate in the retaining wall of the dam; the tube being designed to be adapted to various levels of the surface water in which the floating structure floats without preventing the flow of surface water through the tube, and the system allowing the performance of the method according to the present invention, all this in the event that there is in the dam a hydroelectric power station, without loss of power therein.

Abstract: A modular-unit floodwall system is disclosed. The system includes modular floodwall units configured for holding water and connecting and sealing devices for connecting the units together to form a barrier against floodwater. A method of constructing such a floodwall is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for preventing downward flow of substantial surface water into an underground ventilation duct communicating upwardly to a ground surface opening. The embodiments comprise a support having a top opening and an opening in a lower portion above a floor. The opening in the lower portion is for venting communication with a proximate portion of the ventilation duct. The support supports at least one seat and paired buoyant gate set. The seat is mounted perpendicularly relative to the gate and a portion of a passageway under the seat for fluidly communicating beyond such portion to the top opening of the support and to the proximate portion of the ventilation duct. The buoyant gate is positioned lower than the seat and the passageway, is of sufficient size to block the passageway, and is responsive to water rising in the support by floatingly pivoting upwardly until engaging the seat, thereby blocking the passageway.

Abstract: A hydroelectric system comprising a support member, a rotational torque converter, a drive member being disposed at one end of a support arm, a water driven mechanism in rotational communication with the drive member, wherein the support arm can be pivotally adjusted by a retraction mechanism are disclosed. A spillway deflector comprising a spillway deflector wedge, a deflector anchor, and a flat portion extending between the deflector anchor and the deflector wedge are disclosed.

Abstract: A discharge control system for a reservoir having a pressure-communicating valve in a valve chamber with the inlet of the pressure-communicating valve connected the reservoir outlet aperture and the outlet of the pressure-communicating valve connected to a discharge aperture in the containment structure for the valve chamber. An auxiliary reservoir outlet aperture enables water to flow from the reservoir into the valve chamber, submerging the pressure-communicating valve. Water flows from the valve chamber through a valve chamber outlet aperture that is substantially the same as the auxiliary reservoir outlet aperture and is located at substantially the same height as the center of the reservoir outlet aperture. One or more supplemental auxiliary reservoir outlet apertures are located at incrementally greater heights in the containment wall for said reservoir to assure that water will enter and leave the valve chamber at the same rate under all conditions.

Abstract: The device is composed of two, horizontally aligned component parts, namely, fixed spinway subtending an angle of 60° and a pivotal wedged-shaped module residing at a specific and constant distance parallel to the spillway face. The wedge-module is designed so that it rotates around a defined arc radius so maintaining both a constant distance between interfaces of the wedged-module and spillway and a constant angle of attack. This device has been demonstrated to accelerate the rate of fluid flow under either low or high head pressures by way of generating a negative pressure (venturi) effect in the device. The nature of the wedge-module is to present a “throat” configuration at the slit opening thereby tending to suck fluid into the device under such negative (venturi) pressures, while maintaining a laminar flow pattern ahead of the wedge-module/spillway arrangement.

Abstract: Holding apparatus for supporting a dam unit, wherein the apparatus includes a frame structure including at least one support member. The at least one support member is arranged to support the dam unit when the dam unit is raised from a lowered position to a holding position. The at least one support member is at least one of detachably connected to the dam unit and removably engagable with the dam unit. The at least one support member essentially experiences compression forces when the dam unit is supported in a holding position. This abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: A spillway for use in a sloped embankment which defines a top and a toe. The spillway is adapted to dissipate the kinetic energy of water flowing downwardly from the top of the embankment to the toe thereof in a primary flow direction. The spillway comprises a plurality of building blocks arranged in rows which are stacked upon each other in a shingle-like overlap such that the building blocks of each row are offset relative to the building blocks of each adjacent row and a series of steps are defined thereby. The building blocks are sized and configured such that water cascading down the steps defined thereby is caused to flow in three dimensions so as to impart velocity components to the falling water that act at generally right angles relative to the primary flow direction and generate turbulence which dissipates the kinetic energy of the water.

Abstract: A soil erosion collector that fits in a standard two foot drainage ditch. It is preferably formed of pre-cast reinforced concrete. Its purpose is to separate eroded soil in storm run off. The soil Erosion Collector is designed to create a ponding effect, which will slow the flow of water in a ditch, allowing eroded soil and debris to settle. The invention comprises a body with solid intersecting lower sides which meet at an angle to fit into the drainage ditch. A dam connects the sides, with the top of the dam forming a “V” shaped spillway at a lowered central portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water treatment system (10) including: (a) a water permeable wall portion (12) defining a water treatment portion (18) of a waterway to be treated; and (b) a treating portion (20) retained in a desired position relative to the permeable wall portion (12) by retaining means (26) wherein water to be treated permeates through said wall portion (12), said retaining means (26) and said treating portion (20) for removing pollutants contained therein prior to discharge of water from the system (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for aerating water contained at a dam site includes a force main pipe for receiving water from a dam site water reservoir therethrough and a dam aeration assembly in communication with the force main pipe. The dam aeration assembly, via an array of aerators, aerates water delivered from the force main pipe and introduces the aerated water into a dam site discharge waterway.

Abstract: A spillway for use in a sloped embankment which defines a top and a toe. The spillway is adapted to dissipate the kinetic energy of water flowing downwardly from the top of the embankment to the toe thereof in a primary flow direction. The spillway comprises a plurality of building blocks arranged in rows which are stacked upon each other in a shingle-like overlap such that the building blocks of each row are offset relative to the building blocks of each adjacent row and a series of steps are defined thereby. The building blocks are sized and configured such that water cascading down the steps defined thereby is caused to flow in three dimensions so as to impart velocity components to the falling water that act at generally right angles relative to the primary flow direction and generate turbulence which dissipates the kinetic energy of the water.

Abstract: A silt fence fabric with an enlarged edge fits into a slotted blade edge, and is paid out through the slot into the ground as the blade cuts a slit in the ground.

Abstract: The system includes a plurality of flood plains. Each flood plain contains a plurality of plants and each plant is held in a pot. The flood plains are excavated at different elevations from an upper most elevation to a lower most elevation. The flood plains are sequentially flooded for a resident time period with a selected volume of water directed from a water source. As the flood plains are excavated to different elevations, gravity, and a series of flood gates, control the water flow from one flood plain to a next lower flood plain. Each flood plain has a top surface and an underlying bed comprising a soil and clay composition. The surface of each bed is contoured to adequately drain water from one flood plain to the next. This clay mixture firms the bed to adequately support vehicles and laborers to prevent depressions in the bed which may adversely affect water flow in and out of a flood plain. Each of the flood plains is lined with a water impermeable membrane.

Abstract: This device for triggering the destruction of a selected portion (1 or 11) of a hydraulic structure such as an embankment dam, dike, or levee built out of erodible material so as to be destroyable by hydraulic erosion is constituted by at least one massive element (5) which is disposed on the top of the selected portion (1, 11) of the structure and which is held there by gravity, the massive element (5) being dimensioned in size and in weight in such a manner as to be expelled by the water when it reaches a predefined level (N), the vertical dimension of the massive element measured beneath said predefined level (N) being selected in such a manner that the nappe which is released after the massive element has been expelled is of a thickness (z) suitable for causing reliable and rapid destruction of the selected portion (1, 11) of the hydraulic structure.

Abstract: A weir structure for controlling liquid flow in a channel having a floor and side walls comprising a barrier extending between the sidewalls of the channel and from the floor of the channel to a crest to separate the channel into an upstream region and a downstream region. Fluid in the channel flows from the upstream region to the downstream region by overflowing the barrier at the crest. The barrier is formed with at least one passage through the barrier positioned and dimensioned to allow for free, unregulated fluid flow through the passage from the upstream region to the downstream region whenever fluid is overflowing the barrier to increase flow past the barrier.

Abstract: A spillway gate system for use as a navigation dam in which individual spillway gates may be serviced. The spillway gate system comprising a spillway including abutments at opposite ends thereof; wherein at least one of the abutments includes a cavity therein having a bottom surface; a removable bulkhead covering the cavity in the abutment; a plurality of water control gates hinged to the spillway; a service crane movable along the spillway and including a dewatering caisson; and a seal for sealing the caisson to the gates and to the bottom surface of the cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus of denitrification. The apparatus includes a weir block, a denitrification vessel having a wall surface, and filter media having microorganisms on their surfaces. The weir block may have a convex outer surface which is tangentially adjacent to and preferably contiguous with the upper end of the wall, whose lower end is in contact with the water in the denitrification vessel. The method may include passing the wastewater over the convex surface of the weir block, passing the water over the second surface of the substantially vertical wall and into the denitrification vessel while preferably maintaining substantially laminar flow and limiting the dissolved oxygen in the denitrification vessel, preferably to below about 5 mg/L and more preferably to below about 4 mg/L.

Abstract: The arrangement includes a downstream jack pivotably mounted about an axis in the floor of the dam and a rotating abutment member carried by the wicket for receiving an end of a jack piston rod. The jack is restored to an end angular orientation when the piston rod is moved away from the abutment member. This end angular orientation is determined by the axis joining the end upright position of the abutment member and the end down position of the abutment member. The piston rod of the jack and the abutment member are provided with a coupler for ensuring their engagement. The jack body is fitted with a sealing apparatus pivotably mounted about the same axis in the floor of the dam and out of which the jack body is easily removable.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing a more economical alternative to conventional control gates for the quasi-permanent closure of all or part of the length of the overflow spillway of a dam except when discharging extraordinary floods, the invention consists of installing on the sill of the spillway a water level raising means comprising at least one heavy element, held by gravity on the sill, the water level raising means or its element being designed to overturn at a predetermined head corresponding to a headwater level not higher than the predetermined maximum water level in order to discharge extraordinary floods, smaller floods being discharged by a separate flood discharge structure.

Abstract: For the purpose of effecting a quasi-permanent raising of the normal water level of an impounded reservoir and thereby augmenting its storage capacity except during the passage of major floods, the invention consists of rigidly fixing to the sill of the spillway a water level raising means comprising at least one vertical plate capable of resisting the water loads when spilling moderate heads (for discharging the floods of shorter recurrence intervals) but bending at its lower portion where it is fixed to the sill at a predetermined head not higher than the maximum water level in order to discharge larger floods.

Abstract: For the purpose of effecting a quasi-permanent raising of the normal water level of an impounded reservoir and thereby augmenting its storage capacity except during the passage of major floods, the invention consists of installing on the sill of the spillway a water level raising means comprising at least one heavy element, the said means or water level raising elements being capable of resisting the water loads when spilling moderate heads (for discharging the floods of shorter recurrence intervals) by virtue of their own weight but breaching by overturning at a predetermined head corresponding to a level not higher than a predetermined maximum water level in order to discharge larger floods.

Abstract: A siphon apparatus for hindering beavers from blocking the inlet of a flood control riser in a water reservoir. The siphon apparatus includes a first conduit for being positioned within the riser, the first conduit having a lower end and an upper end; a second conduit for being positioned outside the riser, the second conduit having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end of the second conduit being at a higher vertical plane than the lower end of the first conduit; and a third conduit for joining the upper ends of the first and second conduit and for allowing water to be siphoned from the lower end of the second conduit to the lower end of the first conduit.

Abstract: In a situation where animals, such as beavers, attempt to flood lands by blocking culverts or constructing dams across waterways, a device is used to maintain a constant flow of water through the dam or culvert. An elongated pipe or culvert with a downwardly directed opening distant from the culvert or dam is used. On the end of the pipe closest to the culvert is a gate which prevents animals and debris from passing through but allows for the smaller elongated pipe to communicate with the culvert. The beaver instinctively attempts to dam the gate area rather than dam the underwater opening of the elongated pipe, and thus is unsuccessful in stopping the flow of water.

Abstract: A dam spillway for the passage of water from a forebay to an afterbay comprises a means for compressing the atmospheric air by the passing water and a floatation chamber connected to said means. The floatation chamber incorporates a froth separating cavity having a lower wall thereof in the form of a smooth concave curve. Accommodated in the upper portion of the froth separating cavity substantially above the water level of the afterbay is a froth remover in the form of a tubular member provided with a longitudinal slot facing the interior of the cavity. Secured on the froth remover is an assembly of water sprinkling froth suppressing sprayers adapted to communicate with the forebay. Connected to the upper portion of the froth remover adjacent to the sprayer assembly are perforated air ducts secured at the bottom of the afterbay.

Abstract: A dam spillway to pass water over the crest from a forebay into an afterbay comprises a mixing chamber communicating with a diffuser; said mixing chamber has an intake arrangement ensuring formation downstream of the diffuser of a flotation zone with a froth collector installed at the end thereof; said intake arrangement includes a water flow divider, a water breaking grid and air intake ducts, the divider being installed above the chamber and made in the form of a screen composed of chutes; said water breaking grid of the intake arrangement composed of bluff members is provided in the inlet portion of the chamber, whereas the air intake ducts of said intake arrangement are made in a wall of the mixing chamber below the grid in close proximity thereto.

Abstract: Method and means for protecting earth dams from failure caused by overflow or internal (tunnel) erosion. The invention provides a barrier between the dam and the impounded water in the form of a water-impervious covering for the vulnerable surfaces of the dam. At the least the covering should sheathe the top and upstream face, but better protection is provided by extending the covering to the downstream surface. The covering is flexible to conform to the contours and surface irregularities of the dam, and anchoring means are provided to secure the covering to the dam and to prevent or minimize seepage.