Flow Calibration of Submerged Sluice Gates

Project ID: 2597
Principal Investigator: Tony Wahl
Research Topic: Agriculture Water Supplies
Priority Area Assignments: 2011 (Climate Adaptation), 2012 (Climate Adaptation), 2013 (Climate Adaptation)
Funded Fiscal Years: 2011 and 2012
Keywords: None

Research Question

This project will build upon previous research conducted to develop calibration methods for canal radial gate check structures. The new research will be broader in scope, with the objective of applying the previous work to submerged sluice gates of several different types, including both vertical slide gates and radial gates. The project will also incorporate new findings from researchers in Spain and use some of their research data for testing and demonstration of improved gate calibration algorithms.

Need and Benefit

The greatest need for water flow rate measurement to improve management and operation of open channel irrigation delivery systems arises at canal control structures. This project pursues a variety of technologies that promote the accurate measurement of discharge at canal check gate structures without the need for constructing dedicated flow measurement devices.

Methods for estimating flow at canal check structures already exist, but the benefit of this project will be the improvement of these methods. These improvements will provide measurement accuracy at check structures that is comparable to the accuracy of dedicated flow measurement devices. There will also be operational benefits because improved estimation of flow rates at check structures allows for more accurate regulation of canal flows, which promotes efficient delivery and use of water.

There is also a potential for cost savings because the project enables existing infrastructure to be used for new purposes (flow measurement, not just flow regulation).

Contributing Partners

Contact the Principal Investigator for information about partners.

Research Products

Bureau of Reclamation Review

The following documents were reviewed by experts in fields relating to this project's study and findings. The results were determined to be achieved using valid means.

Project Completion Report - Flow Calibration of Submerged Sluice Gates (final, PDF, 51KB)
By Tony Wahl
Report completed on May 16, 2014

Radial (tainter) gates and vertical sluice gates are commonly used in headworks and check structures of Reclamation canals. This project developed algorithms and software that enable accurate measurement of flow rates at these sluice gates. This project completion report describes project accomplishments and real-world applications. Links to references and detailed end products of the research are provided, along with a summary of continuing work related to this topic.

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Last Updated: 6/22/20