Water Containment System

Abstract

A temporary dam system for containing a body of water is provided. The temporary dam system is constructed with a number of dam sections. Each dam section has three or more supports and a back brace for supporting a resistant membrane backed by a plate. The supports comprise an end support, a middle support, and a top support in an A-frame structure. A membrane backing plate is attached to the front of the assembled support structure. The overall containment dam system is constructed by connecting dam sections together to form a continuous wall of rigid plates facing a body of water. A flexible liquid-impervious membrane is then placed over the rigid plates to contain the water.

1 . A temporary dam system for containing water comprising:
 A) a plurality of connected dam sections, each said dam section comprising:
 a) an end support, a middle support, and a top support, 
 b) wherein said end support comprises a horizontal member, a back support member and a plate support member, 
 c) wherein said back support member connects to said plate support member substantially in the middle of said plate support member, wherein said horizontal member connects between said plate support member and said back support member, 
 d) wherein said middle support comprises a middle horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member, 
 e) wherein said vertical member connects between said middle horizontal member and said bottom horizontal member, 
 f) wherein said middle support is connected to said end support, 
 g) wherein said top support is connected to said end support and is located above said middle support, 
 h) a bracing plate, wherein said bracing plate is attached to said end support at one end so that the free end is oriented in the direction of said middle support, 
 i) wherein said end support, said middle support, said top support, and said bracing plate when connected together create a support assembly, 
 j) a membrane support plate, and 
 k) wherein said membrane support plate is connected to said support assembly, 
 and, 
   B) a flexible membrane is substantially placed over said membrane support plates of said connected dam sections and extending onto a ground surface below said connected dam sections on the water side of said connected dam sections.   
     
     
         2 . The temporary dam system according to  claim 1  wherein
 a) a turning plate, 
 b) a plurality of turning connecting plates, and 
 c) a plurality of bracing connecting plates 
 
       are used to change the angular direction of said temporary dam system when said dam sections are assembled together. 
     
     
         3 . The temporary dam system according to  claim 1  wherein said end support, said middle support, and said top support are made primarily from metal, reinforced plastics, or fiberglass. 
     
     
         4 . The temporary dam system according to  claim 1  wherein said end support, said middle support, and said top support are coated with a corrosion resistant material. 
     
     
         5 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 1  wherein said plate support member is oriented substantially 45 degrees when said temporary dam system is initially assembled. 
     
     
         6 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 1  wherein said bracing plate, said end support, said middle support, said top support, and the said membrane support plate are each up to 100 lbs in weight. 
     
     
         7 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 1  wherein said bracing plate, said end support, said middle support, said top support, and the said membrane support plate are each up to 50 lbs in weight. 
     
     
         8 . A temporary dam system for containing water comprising:
 A) a plurality of connected dam sections, each dam section comprising:
 a) an end support and a middle support, 
 b) wherein said end support comprises a horizontal member, a back support member and a plate support member, 
 c) wherein said back support member connects to said plate support member substantially in the middle of said plate support member, wherein said horizontal member connects between said plate support member and said back support member, 
 d) wherein said middle support comprises a middle horizontal member, a vertical member, and a bottom horizontal member, 
 e) wherein said vertical member connects between said middle horizontal member and said bottom horizontal member, 
 f) wherein said middle support is connected to said end support, 
 g) a bracing plate, wherein said bracing plate is attached to said end support at one end so that the free end is oriented in the direction of said middle support, 
 h) wherein said end support, said middle support, and said bracing plate when connected together create a support assembly, 
 i) a membrane support plate, and 
 j) wherein said membrane support plate is connected to said support assembly, 
 and, 
   B) a flexible membrane is substantially placed over said membrane support plates of said connected dam sections and extending onto a ground surface below said connected dam sections on the water side of said connected dam sections.   
     
     
         9 . The temporary dam system according to  claim 8  wherein
 a) a turning plate, 
 b) a plurality of turning connecting plates, and 
 c) a plurality of bracing connecting plates 
 
       are used to change the angular direction of said temporary dam system when said dam sections are assembled together. 
     
     
         10 . The temporary dam system according to  claim 8  wherein said end support, said middle support, and said top support are made primarily from metal, reinforced plastics, or fiberglass. 
     
     
         11 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 8  wherein said bracing plate, said end support, said middle support, and the said membrane support plate are each up to 100 lbs in weight. 
     
     
         12 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 11  wherein said bracing plate, said end support, said middle support, and the said membrane support plate are each up to 50 lbs in weight. 
     
     
         13 . The temporary dam section according to  claim 8  wherein said plate support member is oriented substantially 45 degrees when said temporary dam system is initially assembled.