State-of-the-art analytics are helping the New York Power Authority (NYPA) ensure dam safety at Hinckley Reservoir in Oneida County.
NYPA recently launched the application of FLOW 3D modeling software at its Gregory B. Jarvis small hydroelectric plant on the Hinckley Reservoir in Oneida County to help the dam withstand extreme weather events.
“At NYPA, our engineers are leading the way by using advanced, cutting‑edge software to ensure the safe and reliable operation of our facilities, even under the most extreme environmental conditions,” said Gil C. Quinones, NYPA president and CEO.
Flow Science’s FLOW‑3D software has been designed to help predict where water will flow and allows NYPA engineers to model the worst possible rainfall and flooding conditions for the region and predict how Hinckley Dam will perform. Use of the software is expected to be rolled out to other NYPA sites in the coming months.
FLOW‑3D draws a far more accurate picture of fluid interaction with the dam’s structure than was possible using older software, says the company. It accounts for a vast range of factors, including upstream and downstream water levels, surface roughness and various water pressure profiles. It took NYPA engineers several months of calculations and verification using a multidisciplinary approach to produce an accurate model of the flows and forces during maximum flood conditions.
The analysis will allow NYPA to make targeted modifications to the facility if necessary. This approach saves time and cost, and avoids disruptions to service in surrounding communities and with recreational use of the reservoir, which is a popular local boating and fishing spot.
