The installation procedure varies from site to site, the basics include:
- The AquaDam shows up, rolled up like a carpet
- It is then transported to the top of the starting bank
- The AquaDam is unwrapped, and unrolled down the bank, into the water. This exposes the (2) fill-tubes.
- Connect pumps to the 3″ layflat fill-hoses, or run your own hoses into the (2) fill tubes that form the inner water-tight side-by-side tubes of the AquaDam. Anything that goes into the fill-tubes of the AquaDam must be padded, to mitigate inner tube damage potential.
- Turn the pumps on, pumping water equally and evenly into the (2) inner water-tight chambers of the AquaDam.
- Stop pumping when the top of the AquaDam achieves its rated height, when measured at the lowest point along the path of the AquaDam. Once the dam is full here, it is full along its length, and pumps should be stopped. It is not a bad thing to underfill the dam by 4-6″, to account for unknown low spots. Overfilling the dam may break the dam.
The removal procedure is similar to the Installation procedure, but in reverse:
- The water level along both sides of the AquaDam is brought to the same level. This brings the net force on the AquaDam to 0.
- The water is pumped or siphoned out of the AquaDam. This can be done by inserting electric sump pumps, or suction hoses for external pumps, into the (2) fill-tubes of the AquaDam. Anything that goes into the fill-tubes of the AquaDam must be padded, to mitigate inner tube damage potential.
- Once the water level inside the dam is reduced to a point below water level, the dam will float. The closed end of the dam is started on its wooden core, using man- or machine- power.
- The rolled up section of dam is pulled up the bank, the floating section of dam follows it through the water. As the dam is pulled straight up the bank, any water still contained within will drain out through the open fill-tubes at the “starting endâ€
- The section of dam that has been pulled up to high- and dry- ground is rolled up, and the previous steps of “Pull, then roll†are repeated, until the AquaDam is completely rolled up.
Removal should be planned for when determining installation sites. Some site conditions, such as flowing water, in-stream obstructions, lack of access, preclude the removal of the AquaDam in reusable condition. Removal in reusable condition is never a sure thing, but most dams can be removed in reusable condition, if appropriate care is taken during removal operations.