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An Inflatable Dam Could Be Used To Control Salvinia


Click on the following photos for a larger view
 

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday July 1, 2010 started lowering a gate in the inflatable dam to release some water that's been building in a lake threatening to overflow and flood a Des Moines, Iowa neighborhood. The dam was installed as a temporary fix for the rapidly rising waters in Saylorville Lake, north of the city.

This same type of inflatable dam could be mounted on top of the Bistineau spillway and used to control the lake's water level to aid in "flushing" of salvinia from the lake. The dam could be inflated and then deflated as often as required to maintain a constant current in the lake. The following photos show the inflatable dam from Saylorville, which has gates installed. On Lake Bistineau, there would be no need in having the gates. There would only need to be one continuous inflatable "tube" that could be inflated and then deflated at will.
Thanks to Larry K.

The Following Are Photos and Videos Of That Inflatable Dam


Saylorville - Photo shows inflatable dam with "gates". One gate is being opened to to release water from the lake to make room for more water in the lake.

Saylorville - Photo of inflatable dam with "sectional" flood gates installed

Saylorville - Gate being lowered

Photo of an inflatable dam without the flood gates. It is one long inflated tube

Inflatable dams

Inflatable dams are made of thick, laminated rubber and nylon tubes that are anchored to a concrete foundation or spillway across a lake or streambed. The tube can be filled automatically or manually with air or water to create a barrier, and subsequently deflated to lie flat on the foundation (see photos below). The inflatable tubes usually last between 25 and 50 years.


Deflated dam across a streambed


Same streambed with rubber dam inflated

VIDEO FROM SAYLORVILE

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The owners of the Shawmut hydroelectric facility on the Kennebec River in Fairfield and Benton will begin installation this summer of a four-foot wide, permanent rubber dam.

Jerry Doughty, senior plant leader for FPL Energy, Kennebec Hydro, said the thick, inflatable dam will replace the flash board system in place at the site.

He said dam operators will be able to deflate dam sections to allow water to pass during high-water events and inflate it again to restore the natural flow.

He said the rubber will be as thick as a truck tire.

   

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