Floodgate

Floodgates are adjustable gates to control water flow in stream, reservoir or levee systems. They may be designed to adjust flow rates in sluices and canals, or to set spillway crest heights in dams. Or they may be designed to stop water flow entirely as part of a levee or storm surge system.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Bulkhead gates are vertical walls with movable, or re-movable, sections. Movable sections can be lifted to allow water to pass underneath (as in a sluice gate). Designs with removable sections allow water to pass over top and historically used stacked timbers to set the dam's crest height. Some floodgates in large levee systems slide sideways to open for various traffic. Miter gates are used in ship locks and usually close at an 18? angle to form an approximate arch.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Hinged crest gates, also called Flap, Bascule and Pelican gates, are wall sections that rotate from vertical to horizontal, thereby varying the height of the dam. They are generally controlled with hydraulic power.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Radial gates are rotary gates consisting of cylindrical sections. They may rotate vertically or horizontally. Tainter gates are a vertical design that rotates up to allow water to pass underneath. Low friction trunnion bearings, along with a face shape that balances hydrostatic forces, allow this design close under its own weight as a safety feature.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Drum gates are hollow gate sections that float on water. They are pinned to rotate up or down. Allowing water into or out of their flotation chamber adjusts the dam's crest height.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Roller gates are large cylinders that move in an angled slot. They are hoisted with a chain and have a cogged design that interfaces with their slot.
• Clamshell gates have an external clamshell leaf design.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stream: A stream is a body of water with a detectable current, confined within a bed and banks. Stream is also an umbrella term used in the scientific community for all flowing natural waters....

Reservoir: Generally, a reservoir is something that can hold matter or energy....

Levee: :This article is about the type of dam. See also Levee (event)...