Mechanical and Electrical Design for Lock and Dam Operating Equipment

Purpose: This manual provides guidance in the mechanical and electrical design of navigation lock and dam operating equipment and control systems for both new construction and the rehabilitation of existing projects.

Background: Function of lock gates and valves. Lock gates and valves serve a number of different functions, depending on location and conditions. A navigation lock requires openable closure gates at both ends of the lock so the water level in the lock chamber can be varied to coincide with the upper and lower approach channels. Mechanical and electrical equipment provides the means to accomplish this. The various chapters of this manual describe a number of different types of mechanical and electrical equipment. A navigable floodgate is the same as a lock gate, except there is only a set of gates and machinery and no lock chamber. These are typically sector gates and vertical lift gates. The machinery to drive lock gates and valves can be of a variety of designs, depending on existing site infrastructure and designer or operator preferences. The common attributes that should be considered in all cases and are emphasized in this manual are reliability, longevity, and ease of maintenance.
Function of navigation dam gates. Navigation dam gates are the movable portion of a navigation dam that is used to regulate the upstream pool to maintain a minimum navigation depth. Again, the mechanical and electrical equipment provides the means to accomplish this. Navigation dam gates are generally non-navigable, except when they are not required for pool maintenance and can be lowered completely and there are no pier obstructions (i.e. wicket gates). Reliability, longevity, and ease of maintenance are also emphasized for dam gate machinery.