When you need to measure flow in an outdoor setting, then you will almost always need to install your primary device in an earthen channel. While installing a flume in an earthen channel can be done relatively easily, your flume will need to be stabilized to prevent it from shifting and allowing your flow to escape.
Fortunately, there are several convenient solutions for supporting your earthen channel flume that will ensure your operation can take accurate readings well into the future. Here are a few options for supporting flumes in earthen channels and advice for equipping your system with the right water management tools.
Timber Pier
One of the most common and most effective solutions for supporting your earthen channel flumes is known as the timber pier approach. While this support method can be time-consuming, it can easily keep your flume in place and help to maintain the integrity of your channel
With this method, trenches will be dug during excavation to accommodate wooden railroad ties that will be installed perpendicular to your flow. The wooden ties should be made from a durable softwood or hardwood and should be installed underneath the throat of your flume and at both ends. Additional wooden ties can be added depending on the size of your flume and the installation channel.
Concrete Base
The other most common solution for providing support to your flume is using a concrete base. This solution is extremely popular because concrete is very resistant to environmental stresses and requires virtually no maintenance from your operators.
Concrete bases are a great solution for supporting your flume because they can be pre-cast, which reduces the amount of time needed to install your flume. Shortly after the concrete for your base is poured into the case, steel rods will be inserted into the concrete. These rods will be used to secure your flume to the concrete base after it has dried.
If you choose a concrete base, it can either be poured on-site and the flume attached later or constructed off-site with the flume installed and then moved to the earthen channel later. When you’re ready to install your concrete base, the flow will need to be blocked so that you can excavate your site and then install the base. As you might imagine, the labor costs for a concrete base can be much higher than with other support options.
After your flume and concrete base have been placed correctly, you will use sandbags to further stabilize the flume and then fill in gaps with excavated dirt. For extra stability, you can use sandbags filled with concrete.
Install Flumes in Earthen Channels
If you’re going to measure flow in an earthen channel, you need to make sure that your flume is supported as fully as possible. Fortunately, as you can now see, there are multiple ways you can support your flume and ensure the accuracy of your readings. Before you can support flumes in earthen channels, however, you need to purchase a fiberglass flume from Tracom, FRP.
The Tracom catalog features durable, affordable fiberglass products, including a great selection of flumes and weirs. Contact Tracom today for your needed water management tools.