Method, system, and apparatus for flood control

Abstract

A dynamic fluid flow control structure is provided that allows precise control over fluid flow using a series of two or more orifices, at least one of which may be reconfigured to change its flow characteristics. A flood control system and a flood control process are provided that emulate a preset discharge profile over time. Some versions of the structure, process, and system can be used to provide controlled storm discharge patterns in a developed area that emulate the natural pre-development discharge patterns.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A process for controlling discharge from a body of water during a storm event, the process comprising:
 (a) receiving a rainfall measurement from an automated rain gauge;   (b) reading a storm discharge function from a machine-readable storage device, wherein the storm discharge function sets a rate of volumetric discharge as a function of rainfall rate;   (c) computing a target rate of volumetric discharge by plugging a rainfall rate value into the function; and   (d) configuring a flow control structure to provide approximately the target rate of volumetric discharge from the body, of water.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  comprising receiving a water level measurement from an automated water level gauge indicating the start of a storm event prior to steps (a)-(d). 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  comprising selecting the storm discharge function that corresponds to a measurement of storm severity. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  comprising selecting the storm discharge function that corresponds to a measurement of storm severity selected from the group consisting of rainfall rate and water level change rate. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the function is a nonlinear function. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the function sets a rate of volumetric discharge at a given rainfall rate that approximates the pre-developmental rate of volumetric discharge at the given rainfall rate. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  comprising:
 (a) receiving a second rainfall measurement that indicates an increase in storm severity above a threshold measurement; 
 (b) selecting a second storm discharge function that corresponds to a storm having a severity above the threshold measurement; 
 (c) reading the second storm discharge function from a machine-readable storage device, wherein the second storm discharge function sets a rate of volumetric discharge as a function of rainfall rate; 
 (d) computing a second target rate of volumetric discharge by plugging a second rainfall rate value into the second function; and 
 (e) configuring a flow control structure to provide approximately the second target rate of volumetric discharge from the body of water. 
 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the storm discharge function emulates the relationship between rainfall and rate of volumetric discharge as observed from an historic storm event. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the storm discharge function emulates the relationship between rainfall and rate of volumetric discharge as calculated from a model storm event. 
     
     
         10 . A machine-readable data storage device comprising a computer program which, when read by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the process of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A process for controlling discharge from a body of water during a storm event, the process comprising:
 (a) receiving a water level measurement from an automated water level gauge;   (b) reading a storm discharge function from a machine-readable storage device, wherein the storm discharge function sets a rate of volumetric discharge as a function of rainfall rate; and   (c) configuring a flow control structure to provide approximately said rate of volumetric discharge that is a function of the current rainfall rate.   
     
     
         12 . The process of  claims 11  wherein the storm discharge function emulates the relationship between rainfall and rate of volumetric discharge as observed from an historic storm event. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the storm discharge function emulates the relationship between rainfall and rate of volumetric discharge as calculated from a model storm event. 
     
     
         14 . A machine-readable data storage device comprising a computer program which, when read by a computing device, causes the computing device to perform the process of  claim 11 .