Tidewater control system

Abstract

A system and method for assisting the flow of water in rivers, streams and tributaries using the propulsive power of anchored marine vessels to move water in the direction of flow to aid flow and lower water levels in rivers, streams and tributaries.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 495216 (“the '216 application”) filed Jun. 9, 2011. The '216 application is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to systems for controlling the flow of water in rivers, lakes and manmade channels in order to lower water or tide levels in flooding or other adverse situations.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION[0003]As evidenced by recent events, severe flooding is a constant problem for those areas in the nation near rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade. A primary example is the flooding caused by the Mississippi River and its tributaries that drain most of the mid United States. The Mississippi River normally flows at approximately 700,000 to 200,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). When snow and rainfall levels in the North are abnormally high, the Mississippi is forced to drain more water than it can safely ha...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004]It is an object of the present invention to provide a system or method that will assist the flow of water in rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade to lower tide or water levels in order to prevent flooding of homes and properties. Typically, a river is flowing into another body of water such as an ocean, or a drainage canal may flow into a lake. Prime examples are the Mississippi River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, and drainage canals in the City of New Orleans flowing into Lake Ponchartrain. The draining river or canal must overcome the existing tidewater or water level of the receiving body for water to drain. By anchoring a crew boat or large vessel or a fleet of such vessels at the mouth of the Mississippi River and pointed into the flow of the River, with the engines running, the higher tide will be pushed back into the Gulf, lowering the River level and aiding flow.

Problems solved by technology

As evidenced by recent events, severe flooding is a constant problem for those areas in the nation near rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade.

When snow and rainfall levels in the North are abnormally high, the Mississippi is forced to drain more water than it can safely handle thereby causing higher water levels with overtopping of the levee protection system.

In addition this higher river volume increases the water flow rate threatening the structure of the levees.

Other natural phenomenon such as the development of sand bars at the mouth of a river cause the river speed to drastically drop, further limiting the ability of the river to move the enormous volume of water draining into it.

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