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Water-Gate™ Instant Water Barrier

Ralph H. Gonzales, Mechanical Engineer

What is Water-Gate™?
Water-Gate™ is a portable, reusable water barrier that can be used in place of traditional methods, such as sandbags, rock, or dirt dams. Unlike sandbags, Water-Gate™ is “self-filling” and can be installed or removed in minutes and be packed and reused for a different application.
The portable barrier can be carried in a small pickup truck and smaller barriers can be carried by an individual (figure 1). They can be installed by a single person (figure 2). Water-Gate™ comes in several lengths and depths and can be linked together to create longer sections.

Figure 1-Portable water barrier.
 Figure 2-Water-Gate™ can be installed by a single person.
Figure 1-Portable water barrier. Figure 2-Water-Gate™ can be installed by a single person.

How It Works
When Water-Gate™ is deployed, running water enters the barriers, creating a wedge (figure 3). The pressure (force/area) exerted by the water on the barrier holds it in place. Since the base (A) of the barrier is wider than the depth (C) of the barrier, the total force applied to the base is greater, preventing the barrier from moving downstream.

Figure 3-Water-Gate
Figure 3-Water-Gate™.

How It Can Be Used

  • To build water reservoirs. Water reservoirs used to meet pumping requirements can be created by blocking streams and watercourses with Water-Gate™. The water barrier has little or no negative effect on the environment: no sedimentation, no damage to spawning grounds, and no need for earth-moving equipment. More than half the provinces in Canada use a Water-Gate™ in fighting fires.

  • To contain hazardous materials. The Water-Gate™ liquid barrier enables personnel to respond quickly to emergencies. The manufacturer of Water-Gate™, MegaSecur, designed a barrier specifically for containing petrochemical spills. This barrier can be installed in a straight configuration or curved to increase fluid retention.

  • To control flooding. Several sections can be installed together by a single person to create a barrier of the desired length. When the water recedes, the barrier flattens by itself, ready to be folded and rolled up for future use.

How To Install Water-Gate™

Step 1. Line up the barrier as indicated on the roll.

Step 1. Line up the barrier as indicated on the roll.

 
Step 2. Unroll the barrier.

Step 2. Unroll the barrier.

 
Step 3. Place the barrier where you want to set up your dam.

Step 3. Place the barrier where you want to set up your dam.

 
Step 4.Unfold the bib on the barrier. A few large rocks can be placed on the barrier so that the water can flow over it while you are finishing installation. This will keep the water from becoming turbulent.

 Step 4.Unfold the bib on the barrier. A few large rocks can be placed on the barrier so that the water can flow over it while you are finishing installation. This will keep the water from becoming turbulent.

 
Step 5. Use gravel or sandbags to make sure the bib is watertight when it is laid in place.

Step 5. Use gravel or sandbags to make sure the bib is watertight when it is laid in place.

 
 Step 6. When the bib has been completely sealed, remove the large rocks to allow the barrier to deploy by itself.

Step 6. When the bib has been completely sealed, remove the large rocks to allow the barrier to deploy by itself.

 
Step 7. The barrier will unfold and fill with water as shown. First the water flows into the folds and then into the barrier itself.

Step 7. The barrier will unfold and fill with water as shown. First the water flows into the folds and then into the barrier itself.

 
Step 8. As the water enters, the barrier unfolds completely. The barrier comes with a float, which keeps the fabric level with the surface of the water.

Step 8. As the water enters, the barrier unfolds completely. The barrier comes with a float, which keeps the fabric level with the surface of the water.

 
 Step 9. The barrier is opened by water pressure, which causes the top layer of fabric to rise.

Step 9. The barrier is opened by water pressure, which causes the top layer of fabric to rise.

 
Step 10. The water pressure causes the barrier to mold itself to anything underneath. In this photo, the barrier is molding to the large rock and the streambed.
Step 10. The water pressure causes the barrier to mold itself to anything underneath. In this photo, the barrier is molding to the large rock and the streambed.

What Sizes Are Available?

Water Depth
in (m)

Barrier Length
ft (m)

15 (0.381)

25, 50 (7.6, 15.2)

21 (0.533)

30, 50 (9.1, 15.2)

28 (0.711)

                  35, 50, 75 (10.7, 15.2, 22.9)

Note: Water-Gate™ can be linked to create longer lengths.

Item

Weight
lb (kg)

Rolled Diameter
in (m)

Rolled Height
in (m)

Water Depth
in (m)

Barrier Width
in (m)

MS 15-25’

25 (11.3)

14 (0.356)

12 (0.305)

15 (0.381)

46 (1.17)

MS 15-50’

50 (22.7)

20 (0.508)

12 (0.305)

15 (0.381)

46 (1.17)
46"

Item

Weight
lb (kg)

Rolled Diameter
in (m)

Rolled Height
in (m)

Water Depth
in (m)

Barrier Width
in (m)

MS 21-30’

45 (20.4)

15 (0.381)

18 (0.457)

21 (0.533)

73 (1.85)

MS 21-50’

75 (34.0)

20 (0.508)

18 (0.457)

21 (0.533)

73 (1.85)

73"


Item

Weight
lb (kg)

Rolled Diameter
in (m)

Rolled Height
in (m)

Water Depth
in (m)

Barrier Width
in (m)

MS 28-35’

77 (34.9)

18 (0.457)

22 (0.599)

28 (0.711)

96 (2.44)

MS 28-50’

     110 (49.9)

21 (0.533)

22 (0.599)

28 (0.711)

96 (2.44)

MS 28-75’

     165 (74.8)

26 (0.660)

22 (0.599)

28 (0.711)

96 (2.44)

96"

What Support is Available?
A water barrier user’s guide (16 pp) and a videotape (12 min, 30 s) entitled “How to Install a Water Barrier in Watercourses” are free with the purchase of any Water-Gate™. Techniques presented in the videotape will help maximize the use of the Water-Gate™ water barrier.

Where Can I Purchase It?
MegaSecur Inc.
145 Jutras Blvd. East, Suite 3
Victoriaville, QC Canada G6P 4L8
Phone: 819-751-0222
Fax: 819-751-5550
www.megasecur.com
TD logo
For Additional Information Contact:
Project Leader, Fire Management
San Dimas Technology & Development Center
444 East Bonita Avenue, San Dimas CA 91773-3198
Phone 909-599-1267; TDD: 909-599-2357; FAX: 909-592-2309
E-mail: mailroom_wo_sdtdc@fs.fed.us

Information contained in this document has been developed for the guidance of employees of the Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), its contractors, and cooperating Federal and State agencies. The USDA assumes no responsibility for the interpretation or use of this information by other than its own employees. The use of trade, firm, or corporation names is for the information and convenience of the reader. Such use does not constitute an official evaluation, conclusion, recommendation, endorsement, or approval of any product or service to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.

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