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We see Parshall flumes at wastewater treatment plants monitoring sanitary flows so often that sometimes we forget the original reason that the Parshall flume was developed – to measure irrigation flows.  With 22 sizes available, Parshall flumes are capable of measuring…

One of the most common uses of flumes today is to measure sanitary flows; whether this is at an industrial discharge, mobile home park, resort, or wastewater treatment plant.  Unfortunately, flumes are often selected bsed solely on their ability to handle anticipated flows…

There are two conditions of flow that can occur in a Parshall flume:  free-flow and submerged (drowned) flow. Free Flow Free-flow occurs in a flume when there is insufficient backwater to reduce the discharge through the flume.  The primary advantage of free-flow is…

Flumes installed in earthen channels frequently experience the  problems of upstream flow bypass and downstream scour.  One method of protecting upstream and downstream channels is by attaching watetproof geotextile skirts to the inlet / outlet of the flume to direct…

Customer - U.S. Department of the Interior - Bureau of Reclamation The Bureau of Reclamation was tasked with conducting a basin-wide effort to define the problems, identify solutions, and options relating to protecting and increasing water supplies and improving the health of a…

Stilling wells are chambers isolated from, but connected to, the main flow of water in a flume, weir, or channel.  Isolating the stilling well from the main flow via a small connector dampens or quiets the body of water in stilling well, while still allowing it follow the…

Regardless as to which flume you are installing, there are general guidelines that apply to any installation.  By following 8 simple steps you can avoid many of the problems that occur when flumes are installed. The approach flow should be sub-critical, tranquil, and…

The most common method of transitioning flow from a channel into a Parshall flume is through the use of 45° inlet wing walls.  The approach is straight-forwarded and the installation simple, but is it correct?  Research and field experience has shown that both flat…