The Ins and Outs of Montana Flumes

Working in water management certainly has its difficulties, and one of the biggest ones is picking the right type of flume to use in your system. Some schools of thought believe it is best to go with the more popular flumes because of their wide usage, but sometimes it is the lesser known flumes that are the perfect fit. One of the most unknown, underused type of flumes that provides the perfect solution for measuring open flow channels is the Montana flume. Read on to learn more about the Montana flume, and discover the best way to purchase this flume type for use in your water management operation.

What is a Montana Flume?

A Montana flume is a variation on the more well-known Parshall flume. It is occasionally mistaken for a short section Parshall flume although several differences may help make the distinction between the two. For example, where the short section Parshall flume has a removed discharge section, the Montana flume has both a removed discharge section and a removed throat section; the only thing left on the Montana flume is the approach section, characterized by a flat bottom. The Montana flumes modified design lends itself to a number of applications that make it useful for open channel flow measurements.

What Are Montana Flumes Good For?

Probably the best thing about using an FRP Montana flume in your water management system is its versatility. While some types of flumes are only useful for one or two applications, the Montana flume can be used virtually anywhere you need water management. Some of the most typical uses for a fiberglass Montana flume include stream gauging, seepage monitoring and both irrigation and drainage studies. Montana flumes are also particularly adept in sanitary operations. As you can see, for almost any water management task you can think of, the Montana flume is up to the job.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Montana Flumes

Like all flume types or virtually any water management product, Montana flumes have both their definitive advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, the Montana flumes flat bottom makes for easy installation, they cost much less than other flume types and they operate similarly to their more popular cousin, the Parshall flume. Negatively, Montana flumes always require a free spilling discharge, have difficulty collecting flow and their lack of popularity may intimidate some system operators. However, when you weigh the good against the bad, the advantages of the Montana flume easily make it one of the best choices for any water system across the country.

Get Access to Flumes of All Types from a Reliable Vendor

When trying to find the right flume type for your open channel flow water system, there is no more capable choice than a Montana flume. Montana flumes possess that rare combination of ease of use and affordability that is simply unbeatable by any other flume type. However, when you want to use a Montana flume in your water system, you still have to find the right vendor to purchase them from. Get access to the best fiberglass water management products, including Montana flumes, by partnering with Tracom. At Tracom, we offer only the highest quality water management products, and would be happy to outfit your operation. Request a quote from us today!