The Best Possible Tide Gate for the Cove

The Best Possible Tide Gate for the Cove River From and Engineering Perspective Abstract Discussion Sometimes there can be too much water in a river. If there is too much It is unnecessary to design a completely new flood gate, when there already exists water, that means the river is overflowing, and this can be harmful to the a gate that satisfies the needs of the Cove River. The tide gate that does this is the environment. Our AP Biology class has taken on a project focused on the self-regulating tide gate. Cove River, located In West Haven Connecticut. A self-regulating tide gate (SRT)is typically manufactured of aluminum and painted This river has been over run with an invasive species of phragmites. with anti-fowling paint. SRTs restore tidal flushing of marshes without flooding of The phragmites grow taller than the native species of plants, and this has upland property behind dikes and levees. Once the predetermined high water level is been harmful to the environment. When the phragmites grow tall, they achieved, the SRT automatically closes and stays closed in the event of a flood, prevent the sun from reaching the native plants. In addition, they grow so thereby protecting the flood prone area. Restored tidal flushing of the wetlands will: closely together that they form a barrier from the land to the river, help restore the ecosystem preventing animals from reaching the water. In addition, when they eliminate marsh fires decompose, they raise the level of the soil. With the raised soil level, the reduce mosquito breeding native plant cannot grow to the surface. If they cannot grow to the reduce sheet-flooding of the marsh surface, then they do not get the proper sunlight, and they cannot survive. restore upland drainage In the cove river, the city implemented “slab” tide gates. These are not Because of the increased tidal prism to the restored wetland, deepening of the efficient enough to control the water flow. These gates only allow water downstream channel and improved navigation will result as well. to flow in one direction. Self-Regulating Tide gates would serve the purpose much better. These gates actually regulate the flow of water either way. These gates have the ability to close and stay closed during a SRT Blueprin t flood, thus preventing the overflow of a marsh or small river. SRT Problem Statement The problem that is being researched is how the water can be regulated in a way that benefits the native species of the Cove River. The independent variable would be the kind of tide gate that is implemented into the Cove River. The dependent variable would be how the amount of water affects the living conditions of the plant. The reason that the tide gate would affect the plants would be because of the water and salt levels, which would obviously be because of the gates. Acknowledgments I would like to thank Mr. Dickson, Mark Paine, and Professor Scott Graves for taking time out of their busy schedules to offer comments, suggestions, and helpful advice in every step of this project. Thanks also to my classmates. References http: //watermanusa. com/products/water-control-equiptment/drainage-tide-flap-gates/self-regulating-tide-gate-srt http: //www. freepatentsonline. com/6779947. html http: //www. floodcontrolinternational. com/usfloodcontrol. html http: //www. psdoors. com/flood-protection/flood-plank/? gclid=CNShs. POs 7 b 4 CFd. KGfgod. C 3 g. A 2 g