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Parshall Flume Solutions

For Permanent Flow Monitoring Installations

Parshall flumes are the most widely used type of flume in the industry. Developed in 1922 by Ralph L Parshall, the Parshall flume was designed for the United States Bureau of Reclamation. Then it was used for permanent flow monitoring installations. Today, it does the same, however includes many options and accessories and is used for many reasons.

Parshall Flume Options & Accessories

TRACOM has worked with various wastewater management companies across the world for over 30 years. We understand that each system is different and needs various items to run most efficiently. This is why we provide a long list of options and accessories for fiberglass Parshall flumes. Contact a specialist today to see which options work best for your company’s needs!

  • Ultrasonic mounting brackets
  • Bubble tubes
  • Sample tubes
  • Submerged probe cavities
  • Stilling wells (attached and detached)
  • Staff gauges
  • Removable probe holders
  • Inlet and outlet end adapters
  • Pipe stubs
    Flanged end connections
  • Flow straighteners
  • Fiberglass grating
  • Inlet and outlet wingwalls
  • Multi-piece construction
  • Nesting
  • Chemically resistant gel coal

Benefits of Parshall Flumes

Because of their many benefits, Parshall flumes are used in a wide variety of applications. These flumes are often the first choice of many engineers and end-users, due to their certain abilities including:

Parshall Flume Applications

Parshall flume sizes range from 1” to 144” and can also be custom sized. They are an accurate and economical way for permanent flow monitoring. Over the years, TRACOM has helped wastewater management organizations use Parshall flumes in a variety of ways, such as:
Additional Examples

Technical Details

Size & Style Recommended Flow Rates
1” 2 – 85 GPM
2” 3 – 210 GPM
3” 4 – 834 GPM
6” 22 – 1,754 GPM
9” 40 – 3,979 GPM
12” 146 – 7,336 GPM
18” 227 – 11,021 GPM
24” 296 – 14,853 GPM
30” 366 – 18,721 GPM
36” 434 – 22,618 GPM
48” 567 – 30,484 GPM
60” 995 – 38,426 GPM
72” 1,181 – 46,431 GPM
84” 1,828 – 54,489 GPM
96” 2,076 – 62,591 GPM
120” 2,575 – 162,414 GPM
144” 3,057 – 275,541 GPM
Note: 1” and 2” Parshall flumes are not recommended for sanitary flows

Open Channel Flow Parshall Flume: How It Works

Parshall flumes work by channeling the flowing liquid into a narrow throat, constricting the flow and producing a head that is directly related to the discharge. The level floor of the converging section coupled with a downstream sloping throat give the Parshall excellent resistance to submergence. The converging section accelerated the flow helping to wash away deposits of sedimentation and debris.

Parshall flumes are a staple of the water measurement world and are found in applications such as: industrial processing, waste water, and water rights management. Its accuracy and ability to withstand submergence give it the reputation as one of the most versatile flumes in any industry.

Parshall flumes were originally designed as ditch flumes and as such fit in channels with no modifications necessary, though wingwalls can be used to span channels larger than the flume opening. Tracom also manufactures a fiberglass end adapter that converts piped flow into the channelized flow required for Parshall flumes to operate.

How the Parshall Flume Design Can Improve Your Monitoring

The fiberglass Parshall flume is one of the most popular types of flow meters used today. Its accuracy and ease of use, and corrosion resistance make it ideal for a variety of applications. But did you know that the Parshall flume design can also improve your monitoring?

Tracom offers a variety of Parshall flume models that can be installed in different ways. Some Parshall flumes are designed to be buried in pre-packaged metering manholes, others are designed to be placed in surface channels. There are also Parshall flumes that can be installed in line with your existing pipe system.

Parshall flumes are available in a variety of sizes, from 1 inch to 144 inches. The size of the flume will depend on the flow rate of your application. As one of the leading Parshall flume manufacturers, Tracom knows what it takes to provide the best flow measurement devices for any type of application, even providing a Parshall flume discharge table for every size fiberglass flume we offer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

A Montana flume is essentially a shortened Parshall flume. It removes the throat and discharge section of the Parshall, allowing the same measurement options as a Parshall, at more than half the length. The downside is that a free-flow drop is recommended, as pipe stubs cannot be installed onto a Montana.

Tracom sells Parshall flumes. We make 1″, 2″, 3″, 6″, 9″, 12″, 18″, 24″, 30″, 36″, 48″, 60″, 72″, 84″, 96″, 120″, and 144″ sizes. The Parhsall flume size refers to the width of the flume at the throat section.