Advantages of Parshall Flumes

Parshall flumes have a number of advantages over other flumes and open channel flow primary devices The Parshall flume is the best known and most widely used primary device for monitoring water in open channels and non-full pipes. It is used to measure municpal sewage, industrial effluent, dam seepage, storm water, irrigation / agricultural flows, watersheds, and more!

Parshall flumes offer a number of distinct advantages:

Wide range of sizes from 1-inch to 50-feet to handle most flows
Can be factory built or formed on site
Suitable above grade and below grade applications:
- Integrated flume stands
- Flume enclosures
- Curved flume end adapters into existing manholes / vaults
- Factory integrated in Packaged Metering Manholes
Most commonly used flume type in North America
- Little to no operator training required
Short-throated flume
- Single point of measurement
- Floor of flume to water surface
Supported by all major open channel flow meter manufacturers
National and international dimensional / operational standards
90 years of research and practical application experience
Available in a range of materials to suit most budgets and application needs:
- Aluminum – lightweight and durable
- Fiberglass – tight dimensional tolerances, lightweight, corrosion resistant
- Galvanized steel - durable and low cost
- Stainless steel - high resistane to corrosion and abrasion, extremly durable
Corrections can be made for:
- Submegence and settled / non-level installations
Modified layouts available:
- USGS Portable Parshall (discharge section removed)
- Montana (throat and discharge sections removed)
- Shortened and extended sidewalls
Nested configuraitons for plant expansions, subdivision build-outs, and seasonal flows
Available with end adapters to monitoring of piped flows
Extensive array of accessories and options to accomodate most site needs
Suitable for portable or permanent installations