The whole discharge can be recirculated, hence it is adequate for sediment work. The head box is 6 x 3 x 30 ft and serves to straighten the flow prior to introduction to the flume. The type of straighteners may be varied to suit the study. The tail box is 10 x 8 x 30 ft. In a recirculatory mode, the tail box serves as the primary storage for the water used in the flume.
Additional storage is provided in an adjacent isolatable floor sump.
Three pumps are provided to service the tilting flume. There are two possible flow loops for use in connection with this facility. Clean water can be recirculated from the tail box to the constant head tank. In addition, the flume can be operated in a closed recirculating mode. A second tilting flume, better known as the NBS flume, has been recently added to the Laboratory.