Hydraulic Lifting Dam

1. Basic Definition and Structural Composition

The hydraulic lifting dam is a kind of controllable movable dam that relies on hydraulic power to drive the dam body to lift or lower, so as to adjust the upstream water level flexibly. Its core structure is composed of four key parts, with each part undertaking irreplaceable functions in the operation process:

Dam Panel

As the main water-retaining component, the dam panel is usually made of high-strength alloy steel or reinforced concrete. The panel is designed with a streamlined shape to reduce the impact resistance of water flow during flood discharge. The surface is coated with anti-corrosion and anti-wear materials to adapt to the long-term immersion and scouring of river water. The length and thickness of the panel are customized according to the design flow and water retaining height of the project.

Hydraulic Drive System

This is the power core of the dam, including hydraulic cylinders, hydraulic pumps, oil pipelines and other components. Multiple hydraulic cylinders are evenly arranged at the bottom of the dam panel, and the synchronous extension and retraction of the cylinders are controlled by the hydraulic pump station to ensure that the dam body rises and falls stably without tilting. The hydraulic system is equipped with a pressure relief valve and a one-way valve to prevent the dam body from suddenly falling due to system failure.

Intelligent Control System

It consists of a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) control cabinet, water level sensor, flow velocity sensor and remote control module. The system can realize automatic regulation according to the real-time monitoring data of upstream water level: when the water level exceeds the warning line, it automatically starts the hydraulic cylinder retraction program to lower the dam body for flood discharge; when the water level is lower than the demand line, it lifts the dam body to retain water. Meanwhile, it supports manual operation and remote control to meet the needs of emergency scheduling.

Anchoring and Supporting Structure

The bottom of the dam body is connected with the dam foundation through hinges, and the two ends are fixed with the abutment walls to ensure the stability of the dam body during water retaining. The dam foundation is reinforced with reinforced concrete to resist the horizontal thrust of water flow, and the hinge connection part is equipped with lubricating and sealing components to reduce friction and prevent water seepage.

2. Working Principle

The operation of the hydraulic lifting dam is based on the principle of hydraulic transmission and mechanical linkage, and its working process is divided into three core stages:

Water Retaining Stage

When water retaining is required, the control system starts the hydraulic pump station to deliver high-pressure oil to the hydraulic cylinders. The piston rods of the cylinders extend upward to push the dam panel to rotate around the bottom hinge, and the dam body gradually rises to the preset height. At this time, the dam panel forms a closed water-retaining surface with the abutment walls, blocking the river flow and raising the upstream water level to meet the needs of irrigation, water supply or landscape water storage.

Water Level Regulation Stage

The water level sensor monitors the upstream water level in real time and transmits the data to the PLC control cabinet. If the water level needs to be adjusted, the control system controls the hydraulic cylinders to extend or retract partially, changing the height of the dam body to realize precise control of the water discharge. This function is particularly suitable for river sections that need to maintain a stable ecological water level.

Flood Discharge Stage

In the flood season, when the upstream water level exceeds the safety threshold, the control system automatically opens the pressure relief valve of the hydraulic system. The high-pressure oil in the cylinders flows back to the oil tank quickly, and the dam panel falls down under the combined action of its own weight and the impact of water flow, lying flat on the dam foundation. At this time, the river water can pass through the dam site smoothly, achieving rapid flood discharge and avoiding the impact of flood on the dam body.

3. Core Advantages

Compared with traditional fixed dams and other movable dam types, the hydraulic lifting dam has the following unique advantages:

Precise Control and Flexible Operation

The hydraulic system can realize stepless adjustment of the dam body height, and the water level control accuracy can reach centimeter level. It supports both automatic and manual control modes, which can respond quickly to various water regulation demands.

Stable Structure and Strong Load-Bearing Capacity

The steel or reinforced concrete dam panel has high structural strength, which can resist the impact of large flow and floating debris. It has stronger load-bearing capacity than inflatable rubber dams, and is suitable for medium and large-scale river control projects.

Fast Flood Discharge and High Safety

The dam body can be fully lowered within a few minutes in case of emergency, realizing rapid flood discharge. The hydraulic system is equipped with multiple safety protection devices, which can effectively prevent accidents such as sudden collapse of the dam body.

Good Ecological Compatibility

When the dam body is lowered, it is flush with the riverbed, which will not block the migration path of fish and other aquatic organisms. Meanwhile, the adjustable water level helps to maintain the ecological balance of the river and meet the needs of downstream ecological water supplement.

Short Construction Period and Low Maintenance Cost

The modular design of the dam body facilitates on-site assembly, and the construction period is only 1/3 of that of traditional concrete dams. The hydraulic system has a mature structure and low failure rate, and the daily maintenance only needs regular inspection and lubrication, with low long-term operation cost.

4. Typical Application Scenarios

The hydraulic lifting dam is widely used in various water conservancy projects due to its comprehensive performance, and the main application scenarios include:

River Regulation and Flood Control

It is built in the main stream and tributaries of rivers to adjust the water level and control the flow, reducing the risk of upstream waterlogging in flood seasons.

Irrigation and Water Diversion