| Pacific
Northwest Region Boise, Idaho November 21, 2002 |
Contact:
Contact: John Redding (208) 378-5212 |
Water Flow Deflector Designed to Protect Mason Dam
Construction crews with the Bureau of Reclamation and the Baker Valley Irrigation District finished installing a water flow deflector within the Mason Dams’ stilling basin early this month.
The device is designed to control high speed water flows emitted from the outlet tubes located at the base of the dam. It will protect the outlet works stilling basin floor from damage due to water turbulence.
When water is released, rock and gravel that accumulate in the basin get tossed violently against the floor. The deflector redirects the water and prevents rapid cycling of debris and further erosion.
Reclamation engineers believe the device will eliminate or reduce costly repair of the stilling basins. The stilling basin in Mason Dam is common to many Reclamation built facilities. If successful, the deflector, which is custom designed to this basin, will be widely used within the agency.
A test of the water flow deflector will be conducted next spring. Mason Dam is located on the Powder River near Baker, Oregon, and is part of the Baker Project.
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