Blog

Periodically we are asked the question:  Can Parshall flumes be made out of concrete?  The answer is:  yes, they can (but they usually aren’t)! The use of concrete in makiing Parshall flumes is limited by a number of factors: Ready availability of fiberglass…

Historically, flume manufacturers have been like mattress salesmen – they made it difficult to find the information that you need so that you can compare among offerings. In comparing among flume manufacturers keep these 5 things in mind: Are flumes a main product line for…

The use of galvanized steel Parshall flumes is common in measuring water rights on irrigation channels.  So much so they are almost the default flume / material of construction!  In fact, some states specify the use of Parshall flumes by law for certain situations and…

Of all the various sizes of Parshall Flumes that we offer, the 4-inch Parshall flume is one of the most popular. Whether in fiberglass, galvanized, or stainless steel, we get a lot of inquires for this particular size. There’s only one problem…the 4-inch Parshall…

One of the problems in applying Trapezoidal flumes has been that many of the flumes lack free-flow discharge equations in the standard (and short) format availale for other popular flumes. A solution to this problem in presented by Utah State University...

Since the Parshall flume is the most commonly applied flume in North America and fiberglass the most common material, it is not uncommon when talking with a customer for the first time to be asked:  so how much does a fiberglass Parshall flume cost anyway? Finding out this…

In the past, calculating the flow in a submerged Parshall flume has been difficult.  The solutions available were graphs (Robinson, Bureau of Reclamation), limited (size) equations (Wahl), or long, complex equations (ISO 9826:1992). A better solution was need –…

Staff ("head" or "level") gauges provide a quick, visual indication of the level of water in a channel, flume, or weir. Although they should not be solely relied on when more precise level measurement devices are available, staff gauges allow operators to quickly gauge the…

Replacement floors (AKA “magic bottoms” or “false floors”) are a way of correcting flume hydraulics without the need for costly demolition and construction. These floors can be used to correct: Low floor elevations due to poor installation Submergence due…

Historically, mines were often abandoned without proper (if any) cleanup.  This lack of remediation and cleanup has meant that as water rises in the mine, pollutants, sediment, and debris can all enter what can become a flow of water out of the mine.   Flow monitoring…

Let’s not kid ourselves – landfill leachate is some nasty stuff. If it has gone into the landfill, there is the likelihood that it has concentrated in the landfill.  This environment can make it exceedingly challenging for primary devices (Flumes, Weirs, and…

Green roofs have grown in popularity in the US in the past decade.   Popularized in Germany begining in the 1960's, green roofs have shown to provide benefits to the building owners and society as a whole. WIth this popularity comes a desire to best utilize the…