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PLAQUE WORDING FOR "THE PARSHALL MEASURING
FLUME"; ASABE HISTORIC COMMEMORATION EVENT # 19
Since the beginning of irrigated agriculture, it has been important to measure
flows of irrigation water. Accuracy of early water measurement methods often
suffered because of trash or sediment in the water, or unusual flow conditions.
Ralph L. Parshall saw this problem when he began working for the USDA in 1915,
as an irrigation research engineer. In 1922 he invented the flume now known by
his name. When this flume is placed in a channel, flow is uniquely related to
the water depth. By 1953 Parshall had developed the depth-flow relationships
for flumes with throat widths from 3 inches to 50 feet. The Parshall flume has
had a major influence on the equitable distribution and proper management of
irrigation water. Thousands of flumes have been used to measure irrigation
water, as well as industrial and municipal liquid flows throughout the world.
This plaque marks the site of the original Colorado Agricultural College
Hydraulics Laboratory, where Parshall carried out his historic experiments.
DEDICATED BY THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS 1985
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