An automated water control device comprises a rotatable housing that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper or weir edge of the housing. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The housing is selectively rotated to raise and lower the height of the weir edge to a target gate height. Automatic control is provided for operation of the device by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes one or more water control devices and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated water control device. Manual or semi-automated embodiments are also disclosed.

An automated water control device comprises a rotatable housing that can be incrementally positioned to control flow of water over an upper or weir edge of the housing. The device is installed at a control point in an impoundment area, such as a settling pond. The housing is selectively rotated to raise and lower the height of the weir edge to a target gate height. Automatic control is provided for operation of the device by a controller communicating with an actuator. A system of the invention includes one or more water control devices and the controller. A method of the invention includes controlling flow of water from an impounded water source by use of the automated water control device. Manual or semi-automated embodiments are also disclosed.

According to one embodiment, a flood vent includes a frame forming a fluid passageway through an opening in a structure. The flood vent further includes a door pivotally mounted to the frame in the fluid passageway for allowing a fluid to flow through the fluid passageway. The door has two opposing faces that include a first face and a second face. The flood vent further includes a first float positioned within the door in a location in-between the first face and a second float. Additionally, the first float is configured to allow the door to pivot in a first direction. The flood vent further includes the second float positioned within the door in a location in-between the second face and the first float. Furthermore, the second float is configured to allow the door to pivot in a second direction.

According to one embodiment, a flood vent includes a frame forming a fluid passageway through an opening in a structure. The flood vent further includes a door pivotally mounted to the frame in the fluid passageway for allowing a fluid to flow through the fluid passageway. The door has two opposing faces that include a first face and a second face. The flood vent further includes a first float positioned within the door in a location in-between the first face and a second float. Additionally, the first float is configured to allow the door to pivot in a first direction. The flood vent further includes the second float positioned within the door in a location in-between the second face and the first float. Furthermore, the second float is configured to allow the door to pivot in a second direction.

A wall resident in a subterranean chamber and not obscuring a horizontal ground level view is situated between buoyant panels flanking the chamber and is configured to be passively rotationally raised out of the chamber to an upright position by one or both of the flanking panels when the panels rotationally buoy upward to form a barrier against water invading the position that the wall, chamber and panels occupy. When flood waters recede, the wall passively lowers so the horizontal ground level view is again not obscured. Provision is made for cleaning flood laden debris from the subterranean chamber to allow the wall to be operated repeatedly after recurring floods.

A wall resident in a subterranean chamber and not obscuring a horizontal ground level view is situated between buoyant panels flanking the chamber and is configured to be passively rotationally raised out of the chamber to an upright position by one or both of the flanking panels when the panels rotationally buoy upward to form a barrier against water invading the position that the wall, chamber and panels occupy. When flood waters recede, the wall passively lowers so the horizontal ground level view is again not obscured. Provision is made for cleaning flood laden debris from the subterranean chamber to allow the wall to be operated repeatedly after recurring floods.

A water conserving gate includes a base and a gate board configured to resist external water flow. A first supporting column, a second supporting column and a third supporting column are sequentially arranged on an upper portion of the base. A control box is arranged on the upper portion of the base. A first connecting rod is connected between a gate board and the first supporting column; a second connecting rod is connected between the gate board and the second supporting column. A third connecting rod is connected between the gate board and the third supporting column. A first rotary boss arranged on the first supporting column is movably connected with the first connecting rod. A second rotary boss arranged on the second supporting column is movably connected with the second connecting rod.

A water conserving gate includes a base and a gate board configured to resist external water flow. A first supporting column, a second supporting column and a third supporting column are sequentially arranged on an upper portion of the base. A control box is arranged on the upper portion of the base. A first connecting rod is connected between a gate board and the first supporting column; a second connecting rod is connected between the gate board and the second supporting column. A third connecting rod is connected between the gate board and the third supporting column. A first rotary boss arranged on the first supporting column is movably connected with the first connecting rod. A second rotary boss arranged on the second supporting column is movably connected with the second connecting rod.

Aspects of the present disclosure involve hydraulic systems and methods for altering a flow of a body of water, such as a river, channel, and/or other flowing or uncontained bodies of water. In one aspect, a hydraulic system provides a velocity barrier for the impedance of aquatic organism migration. More particularly, the velocity barrier may be adapted based on the swimming capabilities of one or more aquatic organisms to impede migration. The aquatic organism may be one or more species of fish, such as species sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). The example implementations shown and described herein reference the restriction of the sea lamprey. However, it will be appreciated that other aquatic organisms could be restricted by the presently disclosed technology, for example, with different hydraulic targets depending on swimming capabilities.

A control gate adapted to be installed across a channel for liquids. The control gate includes a barrier member with a side member that has a circular arcuate section, the barrier member being pivotally mounted at or adjacent to the base of the channel; and a drive for raising and lowering the barrier member. The drive includes a cable, motor and first and second pulleys. The first pulley is coupled to the motor, the cable is secured to opposite first and second ends of the arcuate section, with the second pulley being adjacent to the arcuate section. The cable passes along the arcuate section from the one end to pass under the second pulley in contact therewith, is looped around the first pulley, above the second pulley, then passes under the second pulley and is secured to the second end of the arcuate section.