Custom Stainless Steel Channels For Flood Gates

Stainless Structurals has been involved in many interesting projects for the water control industry. A specific project in New Orleans, Louisiana involved new stainless steel flood gates structures .

The 17^th Street Canal

For the city of New Orleans, the 17^th Street Canal is the largest and most important drainage canal. It operates with pump station 6 to move water into Lake Pontchartrain. During Hurricane Katrina, there was a breach of the I-walls that lead to the destruction of buildings, homes and infrastructure throughout the city. After the storm, the city ordered an investigation as to how this breach has occurred. Many thought it was just the storm surge and the flood waters it created just rose too high for the design.

New Plans Involving Flood Gates

But this proved to be wrong as the investigation determined the breach was due to a faulty design and engineering error in the 1980’s. Hence, shortly after the investigation, the City of New Orleans announced new plans for improvements to the canal and the addition of more pump stations. These plans were called the New Orleans Permanent Canal Closures and Pumps project. They also involved the renovation of the flood gates.

Flood Gates Made of Custom Stainless Steel Laser Fused Profiles

As a result, part of the new project for the 17^th Street Canal involved new slide gate embeds for flood gates. They are there for the permanent canal closures and pump stations. So one of the leading manufacturers of flood gates in the water control industry contacted Stainless Structurals. Our order was to produce custom size channels from 316/L stainless steel for these gates. 316/L stainless steel was chosen because of its improved strength and corrosion resistance needed for this type of harsh environment.

Thus, to produce these custom stainless steel channels, we had to use our laser fusion technology. All in all, laser fusion is the only technology that can produce larger stainless steel channels with precision tolerances, minute weld seams and full penetration welds to meet ASTM A1069 standards. All of these components were requirements on this project. In total, we supplied over 80,000 pounds of stainless steel channels for these flood gates.

More Stainless Steel Products for Water Control

However, flood gate components like these custom stainless steel channels are just one of many different areas where Stainless Structurals is involved in the water control industry. We have produced stainless steel beams for support racks, custom stainless steel channels for stop logs and other shapes for the wastewater industry. When you think about the harsh corrosive environments in water control there is no better material than stainless steel. Our 316/L and duplex stainless steel grade products are becoming increasing popular. Contact us today for your next flood gates or water control design.