Trapezoidal Flumes for Water Measurement

Like many flume types, the Trapezoidal Flume was developed primarily to measure irrigation flows. The goal was to design a flume that was capable of accurately measuring a much wider range of flows than those of the Parshall Flume - with particular emphasis on low flow sensitivity.

Trapezoidal Flumes are well suited to agricultural applications. Their flat floor and trapezoidal cross-section mean that the flumes conform to the normal shape of ditches, swales, and other irrigation channels.

As with the Parshall Flume, the use of Trapezoidal Flumes has expanded beyond its agricultural roots. Trapezoidal Flumes can now be found measuring industrial discharges, sanitary sewers, and dam seepage.

A class of (10) different sizes, Trapezoidal Flumes can be an excellent choice where flows are variable, the channel is flat, or where the debris load in the flow stream is high.

Below 10 gpm [0.6309 l/s], Trapezoidal Flumes provide the greatest usable head than any flume other the HS Flume - without the need for free-spilling discharge like the HS Flume.

Trapezoidal Flume Materials

Openchannelflow manufactures Trapezoidal Flumes in several materials to suite your specific needs:

Of these materials, fiberglass is most commonly used to measure sanitary / municipal sewage flows, while stainless steel is most common for discharges with corrosive chemicals, high temperatures, or abrasive solids or where vandalism is a concern. Where only lightweight and abrasion resistance are sought, aluminum is an excellent material choice.

Trapezoidal Flume Accessories

To help you focus on your flow numbers, and not how you got them, Openchannelflow also offers a wide range of Trapezoidal Flume accessories, including: