| Barriers & booms


From timber to high-tech materials Historically, log booms were made from cut timber or trees, chained together using chain or wire rope. However, this practice has largely been phased out due to environmental concerns and the need for more versatile solutions.


Rotomoulded plastic floats A significant advancement in boom technology came with the introduction of rotomoulded plastic floats. These floats offer several advantages over traditional wooden booms: 1. Environmental friendliness: Unlike wooden booms treated with toxic preservatives like creosote, plastic floats do not leach harmful substances into the water.


2. Durability: Plastic floats are resistant to rot and degradation, offering a longer lifespan than wooden alternatives.


3. Cost-effectiveness: While the initial investment might be higher, the longevity and low maintenance requirements of plastic floats often result in lower long-term costs.


4. Versatility: Modern booms can serve multiple purposes simultaneously, such as debris control and public safety.


Engineered steel frames and screens While the brightly colored plastic floats are the most


visible part of modern booms, the real strength lies in their engineered steel frames and screens. These components form a “high strength steel curtain” capable of holding back large amounts of debris.


Custom solutions for unique


challenges The diversity of hydropower installations and their specific needs has led to the development of a wide range of specialized barrier and boom solutions.


Floating debris booms These are designed specifically for managing floating trash, logs, and debris in hydroelectric dams. They can be customized based on the size of the water body and the type of debris typically encountered.


River trash booms Tailored for river environments, these booms safeguard rivers from debris accumulation and help maintain efficient water flow.


Ocean garbage booms While not directly related to hydropower, these booms demonstrate the versatility of the technology in combating ocean debris and protecting marine life.


Permanent containment booms These are designed for controlling lightweight debris and vegetation in calm water. They typically feature small, highly buoyant floatation materials fixed to the upper part of a submerged curtain, creating a permanent barrier below the waterline.


Case studies: booms in action Several real-world examples illustrate the effectiveness


and importance of barriers and booms in hydropower operations:


www.waterpowermagazine.com | August 2024 | 31


Xayaburi Dam, Laos The Xayaburi dam, a 1,285MW run-of-river hydroelectric facility on the Mekong River, employs a custom 595m long Worthington litter boom debris barrier. This barrier includes 3m deep debris skirts along its length, a boat passage, and vertical slide beams to allow for full adjustment to changing water levels. It effectively deflects massive amounts of woody debris and vegetation away from the power plant intakes.


Mt. Morris Dam, New York, US The Mt. Morris dam, the largest concrete gravity dry dam east of the Mississippi River, has relied on Worthington Waterway Barriers for nearly 20 years to provide effective, reliable litter boom debris control.


Holtwood powerhouse, Pennsylvania, US The new 125MW Holtwood Powerhouse utilizes a public safety tailrace barrier, demonstrating the dual-purpose nature of modern boom systems in both debris control and public safety.


Challenges and considerations in boom deployment


While barriers and booms offer numerous benefits, their deployment is not without challenges. One of the primary concerns is the potential environmental impact. Care must be taken to ensure that boom installation and operation do not negatively affect local ecosystems, particularly fish populations and aquatic vegetation. This often requires careful planning and consultation with environmental experts to minimize disruption to the natural habitat.


Another significant challenge is dealing with changing water levels. Hydropower reservoirs can experience substantial fluctuations in water levels, and booms must be designed to accommodate these changes. This often necessitates complex engineering solutions to ensure the booms remain effective regardless of water level. Extreme weather events pose another considerable challenge. Barriers and booms must be engineered to withstand high water flows, strong winds, and other severe weather conditions that may occur.


Below: Pacific Netting Products designed and manufactured a 225’ ballasted floating HDPE shear boom to direct woody debris from the Clark Fork River into a debris collection holding area


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