Flap-gate for bottom discharge control in canals having ice problems

A bottom discharge control flap-gate for canals troubled by ice problems wherein said canal comprises a canal bottom, a first sidewall and a second sidewall cooperating to direct a flow of water from a reservoir with said water flowing with said canal between said sidewalls at a water level above said canal bottom with a layer of water at said level susceptible to freezing;

• the improvements comprising:
• a. a water control gate having a body portion mounted within said canal between said sidewalls;
• said body portion being rotatable about an axis of rotation generally coplanar with said layer of water susceptible to freezing;
• a face member secured to said body portion and extending therefrom to said canal bottom and extending between said sidewalls;
• said body portion and face member cooperating to define an arcuate upstream surface with that portion of said surface within said layer of water susceptible to freezing arcing about said axis of rotation with a constant radius of arc;
• and,
• b. means for pivoting said water control gate about said axis of rotation with said face portion moving away from said reservoir and away from said canal bottom;
• whereby said water control gate interrupts the flow of water through said canal when said gate is positioned with said face member extending from said body portion to said canal bottom and said gate permits flow of water through said canal when said gate is pivoted with said face member away from said reservoir with water flowing beneath said gate with said upstream surface and ice having reduced resistance to movement due to said arcuate shape of said upstream surface within said layer.