Embodiments of an inflatable dam sized to be secured to a foundation structure with an anchor line. The inflatable dam includes a main bladder and an overlapping layer. The main bladder is moveable between deflated and inflated states such that, in the inflated state, the main bladder extends with a tubular configuration. The overlapping layer is sized and configured to extend over a portion of the main bladder and, in the inflated state, concentrically aligned with the portion of the main bladder. The overlapping layer is sized to extend with an overlapping length and to extend laterally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the overlapping length, the first end portion being coupled to the fin structure and the second end portion being configured to be coupled to the anchor line and the foundation structure.

Flood barrier assemblies in land near a water frontage shoreline have next adjacent panels actively erectable into a continuous barrier preventing flooding of the land. In one configuration one lateral side of a panel is a contact surface and the other lateral side carries a gasket. The panels are sequentially raised with a first to raise panel presenting a contact surface to the gasket of the next adjacent second to raise panel. In another configuration, a contact surface is on opposing lateral sides of two panels separated by a next adjacent panel between them having gaskets on both its lateral sides. The spaced first panels raise before the second panel. The raised panels may be in a linear or curved array or a combination of linear and curved arrays. Either configuration and order of raising erects a flood barrier wall sealed panel to panel by the gasket between adjacent panels.

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 method for mitigating flooding in existing coastal plain areas includes: A dyke (or dykes) is (are) set/built on seabed outside partial existing coastline of an existing coastal plain area to form an enclosed area; the enclosed area, together with the dyke(s), the reservoir inlet(s) and outlet(s), constitutes a reservoir for containing rainwater; or, part(s) of the enclosed area is (are) of a reclamation area (or reclamation areas). Before the start of forecast heavy rainfall or continuous rainfall, the water level in the reservoir is lowered in advance and the water level of water area for containing rainwater in the existing coastal plain is also pre-lowered, so effective storage capacity for containing rainwater against flooding caused by rainfall in the locality is substantially increased. The present invention is applicable for the flooding control works, reclamation works, roads and highways and their integrated works in existing coastal plain areas.

A flood prevention device includes a gate device constituting a passage between a flood prevention area and an outside area, and a portable flood prevention material that separates the flood prevention area and the outside area with the gate device. The gate device has a side wall corresponding to one end of the portable flood prevention material.

The present invention relates to a retractable floodwall system comprising a floodwall panel installed in a housing unit. The floodwall panel is connected with a counter-balance weight. The floodwall panel is capable of being raised from the housing unit and being lowered into the housing unit. The present invention also relates to a method of flood prevention comprising providing a floodwall panel in a housing unit; connecting the floodwall panel with a counter-balance weight; raising the floodwall panel from the housing unit for flood prevention; and lowering the floodwall panel into the housing unit.

Embodiments of an inflatable dam sized to be secured to a foundation structure with an anchor line. The inflatable dam includes a main bladder and an overlapping layer. The main bladder is moveable between deflated and inflated states such that, in the inflated state, the main bladder extends with a tubular configuration. The overlapping layer is sized and configured to extend over a portion of the main bladder and, in the inflated state, concentrically aligned with the portion of the main bladder. The overlapping layer is sized to extend with an overlapping length and to extend laterally between a first end portion and a second end portion along the overlapping length, the first end portion being coupled to the fin structure and the second end portion being configured to be coupled to the anchor line and the foundation structure.

The invention relates to improved water control gates and related inflatable actuators, and associated sealing, manufacture and operation apparatus and methods. Advancements in technologies related to air fitting design, inflated bladder stress relief, inflatable bladder strength enhancement, water gate related slide friction mitigation, abutment and other impounded water seals, gate panel fabrication, traffic accommodating water impoundment structures, and water gate panel system operation efficiency, as well as nappe aeration, hinges, and bladder manufacture technology are disclosed herein.

Flood barrier assemblies in land near a water frontage shoreline have next adjacent panels actively erectable into a continuous barrier preventing flooding of the land. In one configuration one lateral side of a panel is a contact surface and the other lateral side carries a gasket. The panels are sequentially raised with a first to raise panel presenting a contact surface to the gasket of the next adjacent second to raise panel. In another configuration, a contact surface is on opposing lateral sides of two panels separated by a next adjacent panel between them having gaskets on both its lateral sides. The spaced first panels raise before the second panel. The raised panels may be in a linear or curved array or a combination of linear and curved arrays. Either configuration and order of raising erects a flood barrier wall sealed panel to panel by the gasket between adjacent panels.

The present invention relates to a retractable floodwall unit that comprises a foundation unit having a plurality of guide tracks along side walls of the foundation unit, a floodwall panel stowed in the foundation unit; a power system for raising and lowering the floodwall panel, and a plumbing system. The plumbing system is configured to remove ground water from a dry-side of the floodwall unit and flood water that becomes located in the floodwall unit.