definition

A sluice is a gate used to control the rate of flow of water. It fulfills the function of a flood protection and hinterland drainage. In normal operation the sluice is closed and open in dependence of the sea side water level and the water level in the hinterland. During the flood of a tidal circle if the water level sea side of the sluice raises above the water level in the hinterland the sluices closes its gates. During the ebb of tidal circle if the water level sea side of the sluice fall below the water level in the hinterland the sluice open its gates. The water can flow from the hinterland to the sea. By closing the sluice mechanically in case of a storm surge it act as a flood protection. Over the decades the design changed from simple wooden sluices to masonry sluices which can also act as ship locks.

Co-benefits and impacts

By closing the sluice, the spread of the flood in the hinterland is prevented. The sluice can also help in the drainage of the hinterland. It provides the benefit of shortening of dike line. The variable aperture size means sluice gates provide excellent water level control. The simple design is low cost and low maintenance. Requires manual operation and manual closure in floods.
(NSW Government, Sluice, accessed on Sept. 2016).

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The terms sluice , sluice gate, knife gate, and slide gate are used interchangeably in the water and wastewater control industry.

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Last modified: Sept. 21, 2016, 5:06 a.m.