Abstract:
A system and method for assisting the flow of water in rivers, streams and tributaries using the propulsive power of anchored marine vessels to move water in the direction of flow to aid flow and lower water levels in rivers, streams and tributaries.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/495216 (“the &#39;216 application”) filed Jun. 9, 2011. The &#39;216 application is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to systems for controlling the flow of water in rivers, lakes and manmade channels in order to lower water or tide levels in flooding or other adverse situations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As evidenced by recent events, severe flooding is a constant problem for those areas in the nation near rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade. A primary example is the flooding caused by the Mississippi River and its tributaries that drain most of the mid United States. The Mississippi River normally flows at approximately 700,000 to 200,000 cubic feet of water per second (cfs). When snow and rainfall levels in the North are abnormally high, the Mississippi is forced to drain more water than it can safely handle thereby causing higher water levels with overtopping of the levee protection system. In addition this higher river volume increases the water flow rate threatening the structure of the levees. Other natural phenomenon such as the development of sand bars at the mouth of a river cause the river speed to drastically drop, further limiting the ability of the river to move the enormous volume of water draining into it. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a system or method that will assist the flow of water in rivers, streams, tributaries and other bodies of water, both natural and manmade to lower tide or water levels in order to prevent flooding of homes and properties. Typically, a river is flowing into another body of water such as an ocean, or a drainage canal may flow into a lake. Prime examples are the Mississippi River flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, and drainage canals in the City of New Orleans flowing into Lake Ponchartrain. The draining river or canal must overcome the existing tidewater or water level of the receiving body for water to drain. By anchoring a crew boat or large vessel or a fleet of such vessels at the mouth of the Mississippi River and pointed into the flow of the River, with the engines running, the higher tide will be pushed back into the Gulf, lowering the River level and aiding flow. 
         [0005]    It is an object of this invention to use the propulsive power of marine vessels to move water in the direction of drainage to assist in the natural gravity flow of a river or a canal. Marine vessels are normally powered to be propelled in the water but, if the vessel is retarded or firmly anchored and pointed against the flow of a river and given propulsive power, the propellers will move water in the direction of the river flow, thereby serving as an adjunct or assist to the river flow. By employing a multiplicity of highly powered commercial vessels such as commonly used in the offshore industries, a significant power assist could be provided to river flow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  depicts a cross sectional view at the mouth of a river with a marine vessel deployed as part of the inventive system and method. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  depicts a plan view of the inventive system at the mouth of a river and in tributary canals. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the 17 th  Street Canal in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of the same area shown in  FIG. 3 , but with the inventive system and method deployed to prevent flooding through the broken flood wall. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In  FIG. 1  the inventive tidewater control system  1  is depicted as deployed at the mouth  25  of a river  2  such as the Mississippi River. As the water flows down the Mississippi River towards the Gulf of Mexico, around the City of New Orleans the water or tide is moving at about 3 to 7 mph. When the tide reaches the mouth of the River it slows to about 1 to 2 mph because of the width of the mouth. Because of this, sand and sediment sink and form sand bars that further slow the flow of water. 
         [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , at least one powered marine vessel  4  would be anchored in the Gulf of Mexico  3  beyond a sand bar  11  at the mouth  25  of the river  2  with an anchor  9  and mooring line  8  and pointed against the river flow direction  10 . When the engines  12  of the marine vessel  4  is powered to turn the propellers  6 , water as indicated by prop wash  7  will be forced back into the Gulf  3  to lower the tide level  5  in the river  2  and reduce the size of the sand bar  11 . It is understood that, while only one vessel  4  is depicted in  FIG. 1 , a multiplicity of vessels, each with one or more engines  12  and propellers  6 , could be engaged in the inventive system  1 . 
         [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a plan view of inventive tidewater control system  1  deployed at the mouth  25  of a river  2  with a fleet or multiplicity of powered marine vessels  4  anchored with mooring lines  8  and anchors  9  beyond a sand bar  11  and pointed against the river flow direction  10 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , when the engines  12  of the marine vessels  4  are powered to turn the propellers  6 , water as indicated by prop wash  7  will be forced back into the Gulf  3  to lower the tide level  5  in the river  2  and reduce the size of the sand bar  11 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  also depicts the inventive system  1  deployed in a tributary canal  14  that has a sand bar  11  near the entrance of the tributary canal  14  to the river  2 . The marine vessel  4  would be anchored in the tributary canal  14  pointed against the canal water flow  10 . By powering the vessel  4  through the engines  12  and propellers  6 , water as shown by the prop wash  7  will be forced back the canal  14  to lower the tide level  5  in the river  2  and reduce the size of the sand bar  11 . 
         [0014]      FIG. 3  depicts a plan view of the failure of the flood walls  21  at the 17 th  Street Canal  19  in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. A breach  23  in the floodwall  21  occurred on the Orleans Parish side of the Canal  19 , opposite the Jefferson Parish side. Also shown is a bridge  17  and road  18 . The breach  23  allowed floodwaters  24  to wash out the mud and clay levee  22 , completely flooding and destroying residences along the side of the Canal  19 . The Canal  19  empties into Lake Ponchartrain  15 . At the time of this flooding the canal water level  20  was plus 15 feet as was the lake water level  16 . These water levels were well above the elevation of the breach  23 , so the flood water  21  continued to flood New Orleans. 
         [0015]      FIG. 4  has the same plan view as shown in  FIG. 3 , but with the inventive tidewater control system deployed at the mouth of the canal  19 . As shown, marine vessels  4  are anchored and pointed into the canal  19 . By engaging the engines  12  and propellers  6 , the flood water will be pushed back into the Lake  15 , lowering the canal water level  20  to plus 10 feet below the level of the breach  23 . This example is offered to illustrate the benefits of the inventive system and method that can be deployed rapidly in emergency situations.