How Different Spillway Gates Work

If you ask me, there’s almost nothing on this blue earth more fascinating than water infrastructure.

Almost all dams need a way to release excess water when the reservoir is full. Although many dams use uncontrolled spillways, gated spillways provide more control over the flow, allowing us to build smaller, more cost-effective structures. There are countless arrangements of mechanical devices that have been used across the world and throughout history to manage the flow of water. But, modern engineering has coalesced to variations on only a few different kinds of gates.

Practical Engineering is a YouTube channel about infrastructure and the human-made world around us. It is hosted, written, and produced by Grady Hillhouse. We have new videos posted regularly, so please subscribe for updates. If you enjoyed the video, hit that ‘like’ button, give us a comment, or watch another of our videos!

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This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

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This video is sponsored by Henson Shaving.
Stock video and imagery provided by Getty Images.
Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Producer/Writer/Host: Grady Hillhouse
Editor: Wesley Crump
Production Assistant: Josh Lorenz
Intern: Myles Jonas
Script Editor: Ralph Crewe
Background Painting: Josh Welker
Graphics: Nebula Studios

[PracticalEngineeringChannel]

📖 Happy new year! What topics are you wanting to see us cover in 2023?

[needamuffin]

I'm not sure if the fact that most of the infrastructure failures mentioned on this channel being in Texas is a bias due to you being located in Texas or Texas being Texas and neglecting it's infrastructure.

[juzzybro]

4:09 I love the implication there's one if not more interns with the physical strength to manually operate hydroelectric systems.

[tn]

There's just something about the power and strength of water that just does it for me. Incredible.

[CptPatch]

Clearly what we need is to engineer stronger interns to do it at full scale.

[AntiComposite]

The original dam on the Pawtucket Falls in Lowell, MA used wooden flashboards that were set up to break if the water level got too high. This system remained in use until a few years ago when they were replaced with crest gates operated by air bags.

[collembolan]

Adding the glitter to the water was a phenomenal idea! Visualizing flow is always difficult, being able to see it so clearly is a big upgrade to what were already superb demonstrations.

[yahyah]

“You might notice I’m using an intern with a metal hook to open and close the model crest gate, but most interns aren’t actually strong enough to hold up a crest gate at a real dam” made me laugh a lot more then it should’ve.

[glennpearson]

Bear Trap Gates are one of those fine examples where engineers sometimes outsmart themselves. They prove that there is often a high correlation between simplicity in design and simplicity in operation and maintenance. Happy New Year, Grady! I hope your channel subscriptions are off the charts this year! Great work, and keep it up!

[TheMotlias]

Am I the only person who loves Dams, but is also similtaniously a little scared of them when I'm near them? like the amound of water and pressure there is a bit intimidating

[Uriah]

As a Hydroelectric Operator/Mechanic/Dam Tender I have to say this is spot on. As far as the leaks go, we tend to stop them by dumping cinders. The draw of the leak pulls the cinders into the seal and creates a clog.

[gabbymadsen]

You're right, both undergrad and graduate interns lack the strength, that's why many engineers recommend using post docs to hold up spillway gates.

[blauw]

I love water infrastructure, my grandfather was one of the first operators of the Weir and Lock Complex Driel in the Netherlands, and as a kid he took us behind the scenes a few times. The tunnels under the water and the massive movable arches where awe inspiring. Still every time we visit him passing past the system it's incredible. Sadly I was never able to take pictures behind the scenes.

[Fickets]

I worked at the Oroville Spillway during the emergency in 2017-2018. It was really interesting to watch it be rebuilt over time. Also don’t realize how big the spillway is until you’re standing near the radial gates.

[Graham_Rule]

It would be interesting to hear how the gates used at the Thames Barrier compare with the spillway gates you've described here.

[jackielinde]

The funny thing about Tempe Town Lake is that the gates currently in use weren't the original gates. Originally, the lake was constructed with rubber bladders to hold the water back, which only lasted ten years (July 21st, 2010) before blowing out on the western end of the Salt River. I used to live near the area and watched construction crews turning that dry riverbed (the river being dammed further upstream for decades) into the lake, but moved out of the area before it was filled. It's a considerable piece of engineering, all things considered.

[fordxx]

I am a park ranger and dam operator for the Army Corps of Engineers currently stationed in Massachusetts on the Blackstone River. My background is actually art history and business administration. I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate how engaging your videos are. It can be a challenge working with stereotypical engineers. Your voice, pacing, and creativity really makes mechanical and civil engineering so much more interesting.
I’ve worked at five different locations across the US, from the mega dams in the North Cascades National Park and on the Columbia River and then baby dams in northern Minnesota and here in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. I can say from personal experience that we take our jobs very seriously as well as the security and safety of the public. I can’t speak for my agency (obviously) but from our active duty commanders to the mix of civilian engineers and park rangers and natural resource managers really care about our various missions serving the public. Thanks again for this dynamic and informative video! It’s a great refresher and reminder.

[SteveStrummerUK]

Hey Grady - after dropping a few hints, I received your new book as a Christmas present! I have to say it's really well written (and illustrated) and I'm already looking at the constructed world with different eyes 👍 Good luck with sales for the book and a Happy New Year from The UK 😊😊

[justinblin]

“Most interns aren’t strong enough to hold the dam” Jimmy is the intern that holds up his own dam. Be thankful for jimmy.

[Lillireify]

As an ex civil engineer I love, love, love your videos! It's so cool to see on small scale things I learned about in university. One minute in, you already have my like, I can't wait to watch the rest of the video!