Automated flood control device for restoring the natural environment from urban development

1. Jon E. Rasmussen, P.E., CPESC, LEED AP BD+C

2. What is the most typical way to attenuate storm water runoff today?
Static Control Structure

3. Description/Capabilities:
• Fixed opening;
• Attenuate the peak flow rate;
• Discharge is proportional to depth of water;
• Attenuate single or multiple design storms;
• Discharge by reservoir routing equations.
Limitations:
• Do not control the volume of runoff;
• Naturally delay basin peak time;
• Discharge higher flow rates during the trailing end
of the storm;
• Can contribute to downstream erosion;
Static Control Structure

5. So what is Flood-Con?
1. Patented automated flood control
device;
2. Composed of a rain gauge, depth
sensor and uses program logic to
emulate (re-create) pre-developed
storm water runoff from a site
development.

6. Description/Capabilities:
• Provides downstream channel protection by replicating the
natural pre-developed flow rate;
• Attenuates actual storm events in real time for any rain event;
• Prevents downstream flooding resulting from delayed peak flow
time;
• Replicates pre-developed developed peak flow time(s);
• Variable orifice openings;
• Follows the pre-developed hydrograph;
• Discharge is independent of depth of water;
FLOOD-CON

7. Pre-Development Data
Drainage area: 16.1 acres
CN = 59
Tc = 22.8 min.
Post Development Data
Drainage area: 17.5 acres
CN = 86
Tc = 10.8 min.
24hr Design
Storms
1yr, 2yr, 5yr,
10yr, 25yr, 100yr
Static Structure
Outlets: 6”, 18”,
18”, 20” dia.
Flood-Con Gates:
18 Gates- 2” incr.
(0”-36” dia.)

8. 5 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

9. 4 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

10. 2.5 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

11. 2.5 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

12. 2.5 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

13. 2.5 TIMES MORE
DISCHARGE

16. POND
DEVICE
GATES OPEN
AND CLOSE

17. TEST COMPARISION
Pre-development data
Drainage Area: 200 Sq. ft.
CN = 73
Tc = 5 minutes
Post development data
Drainage Area: 200 Sq. ft.
CN = 85
Tc = 5 minutes
DesignStorm
2yr-1hr
Depth (in)
1.8
Static Structure Outlet:
5/16” Circular Orifice
Flood-Con Gates:
4 Gates- 1/8”, 3/16”, 1/4”, 5/16”
Pre peak flowrate: 96.25 gph
Post peak flowrate: 300 gph
(simulated with 500 gph pump)

18. VALVE
75 GAL TANK
POOL
1/8”
5/16”

20. STATIC STRUCTURE VS FLOOD-CON
- LIMITED TO DESIGN STORMS;
- CONTRIBUTE TO EROSION;
- DISCHARGE IS BASED
ON DEPTH;
- LIMITED ATTENUATION OF REAL
STORMS;
- PEAK TIME DELAY;
- NO RECOGNIZED WATER
QUALITY
- CONTROLS ALL STORMS-
BEGINNING TO END;
- NATURAL RUNOFF;
- DISCHARGE IS INDEPENDENT OF
POND DEPTH;
- ATTENUATES ALL STORMS;
- NO PEAK TIME DELAY;
- EXTENDED DETENTION AND
RUNOFF REDUCTION FOR
IMPROVED WATER QUALITY;
- Wi-Fi COMMUNICATION;
- 24/7 CLOUD BASED MONITORING;
- WEB APP TO VIEW REAL TIME
PERFORMANCE