Patent ID: 8511937

Claim:
A water gate panel seal slide friction abatement apparatus configured for placement between a water gate panel that is proximate an abutment of a water impoundment structure, and said abutment, said apparatus comprising: a plate element that is attached to a surface of said abutment of said water impoundment structure; a single, one-piece, abutment seal apparatus that itself includes: a first seal portion that is fixedly attached to an edge portion of said water gate panel, said water gate panel adjacent said plate element; a second seal portion that is connected with said first seal portion alongside said first seal portion, said second seal portion slideable against said plate element; and a third seal portion that is established below said first and second seal portions and that is attached to a water impoundment structure foundation; said water gate panel seal slide friction abatement apparatus further comprising: a seal-to-foundation attachment element that attaches said third portion of said single, one-piece, abutment seal apparatus to said water impoundment structure foundation; wherein said plate element is dimensioned to contact said second seal portion throughout a possible water gate position vertical edge sweep; and a plate-to-abutment surface attachment element that attaches said plate element to said abutment surface.