Abstract

1. The Effect of Tide Gates on the Regulation of Water and Salt into the Cove River Watershed Types of Tide gates There are many other types of tide gates than the “Slab” and SRT gates. One type of tide gate is a side-hinge tide gate. This gate is initially opened using a hydraulic cylinder, crank arm, hydraulic lines, and hydraulic control box. The normal operation is controlled by the tide. The gate can open a maximum of 7o degrees and it is closed from the release of hydraulic system pressure to certain components. Another type of tide gate is a sluice gate. A sluice gate is basically a motorized vertical lift slide gate. A Program Logic Controller (PLC) can be programmed to operate the electric motor which raises and lowers the sluice gate. Sensors monitor the water levels upstream and downstream from the sluice gate and provide input to the PCL. Abstract In attempt to restore the marshes of Cove River and Old Field Creek, West Haven implemented tide gates to regulate the amount of water and salt that goes into the marshes. At Cove River, there are four “Slab” tide gates. These gates are not as efficient as the self-regulating tide gate at the Old Field Creek. The self-regulating tide gate at this location replaced the restrictive tide gates that were previously there. The “Slab” tide gates only allow water to flow in one direction. The self-regulating tide gate, nicknamed SRT, is much more efficient than the “Slab” tide gate. The SRT has a part that floats at the top of the water at heights and is programmed to only allow a certain height of water in. The SRT is more sophisticated and much more efficient than the “Slab” gates, but costs a lot more money. The intent of the SRT gates is to allow for tidal flushing of salt marshes during normal tide cycles, while providing flood protection for upland areas. Oyster River does not have a tide gate. The purpose of this project is to design a new type of tide gate that is both efficient and cost effective by incorporating components of different types of tide gates Problem Statement The objective of this project is to design a new tide gate that is inexpensive and works efficiently. IV: Tide Gates DV: Amount of water and salt allowed into the watershed SRT Sluice Redesign The new tide gate will be made of stainless steel. In the diagram, #4 is the float that moves up and down with the tide. It can be adjusted along the railing to determine the height of the tide at which the gate should start closing. #1 in the diagram is the gate that opens and closes based on the height of the floats. #2 is the opening in which the water flows. #3 is a door that can also be opened or closed to allow a certain amount of water through or no water at all. In the side view diagram, #5 is the mechanism that raises and lowers the gate. As the floats rise, the mechanism tilts and starts to close the gate. Side-hinged Conclusion The new tide gate design is better for a number of reasons. The floats can be adjusted on the pipe that they are attached to so that they can begin to close the gate at different heights. The doors that are also attached regulate the amount of water passing through as well. This design is only a prototype and may have some flaws, but its characteristics make it better than the SRT and “Slab” tide gates. This gate could be a good addition to Oyster River. This design is meant to try and help the marshes in West Haven be restored to their former glory. References Golden Harvest Inc: Manufacturer of Sluice, Slide, Weir, Level, Radial, Flap, and Diversion Gates." Golden Harvest Inc: Manufacturer of Sluice, Slide, Weir, Level, Radial, Flap, and Diversion Gates. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014. "Juel Tide Gates | Seattle, WA." Juel Tide Gates | Seattle, WA. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 June 2014. Justin Tuschhoff