A hydraulic fall is a rapid decrease in water channel depth caused by natural or artificial changes in slope. It is the opposite of a hydraulic jump, which is a rapid increase in depth. Controlling water discharge can create both. Assessing a channel’s potential for these phenomena is crucial for building locks and controlling flow.
A hydraulic fall is a term used to describe a rapid change that occurs in the depth of a water channel. When such a fall occurs, the depth changes from a relatively high stage to one that is significantly lower. The change may be due to shifts in the slope of the channel itself or it may be created artificially by the use of constructions which seek to control the flow of water through a channel.
The idea of a hydraulic drop is the opposite of what is known as a hydraulic jump. A jump occurs when the depth of water in the channel changes from a relatively shallow point or stage to a significantly higher one. As with the jump, the jump may be due to a natural change in channel slope, or have to do with manual attempts to impact the water level within the channel.
Along with a natural change in channel slope, a hydraulic drop can be created by controlling the discharge of water into the channel. This can be managed by using a series of blocks to lower the water level when needed. The same general process can also be used to create a jump if you need to raise the water level. An advantage of this type of system is that it is easier to control the depth of the stream so that the degree of flooding that occurs during a rainy season is minimized. At the same time, this approach can also be used to release more water into the watercourse during times of drought, benefiting those who rely on the continuous flow in the channel as a source of water for crops or even as a means of transporting goods from one location to another.
Assessing the potential within a channel flow for hydraulic drop and hydraulic jump is crucial if the goal is to build locks or other devices to help control that flow. By identifying the natural slopes within the channel, it is easier to determine where to place locks and also how many locks to build to achieve the desired level of control over the hydraulic drop along with the jump. In addition to depth, considering the average speed of the current during different seasons will also make it easier to determine the best ways to control channel flow and make the most of the stream.
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