Apparatus and method for controlling runoff

Abstract

A gate assembly for controlling runoff. In one embodiment the gate assembly comprises an opening disposed in a front wall and a cover sized for sealing said opening. The gate is moveable between an open and a closed position. The gate may further comprise a latch for retaining the gate in a closed position. The gate assembly can be installed within a berm to control collected runoff. Thus, the runoff can be contained within a berm, for example, until the operator is ready to dispose of the runoff.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gate assembly for installation as a barrier to control runoff, said gate assembly comprising:
 an opening disposed in a front wall for allowing fluid flow;   a gate for closing said opening; and   a support structure attached to said opening for allowing said opening to be secured within said berm such that said runoff can be controlled by opening or closing said gate.   
     
     
         2 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a handle secured to said support structure at a first end such that said handle can be maneuvered by a user to apply a force to said gate. 
     
     
         3 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said gate comprises at least one hinge secured to said front wall. 
     
     
         4 . The gate assembly of  claim 3  further comprising a handle secured to said support structure at a first end such that said handle can be maneuvered by a user to apply a force to said gate. 
     
     
         5 . The gate assembly of  claim 4  further comprising a first stop for securing said handle in a first fixed position against said gate. 
     
     
         6 . The gate assembly of  claim 5  wherein said first stop is positioned such that when said gate is unlatched and said handle is placed in said at least one stop, the gate is retained in a partially open position. 
     
     
         7 . The gate assembly of  claim 5  wherein said first stop is positioned such that when said gate is unlatched and said handle is placed in said at least one stop, the gate is retained in a closed position. 
     
     
         8 . The gate assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a second stop for securing said handle in a second fixed position against said gate. 
     
     
         9 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one stabilizing wall coupled to said front wall. 
     
     
         10 . The gate assembly of  claim 9  further comprising a base coupled to said front wall and said at least one stabilizing wall. 
     
     
         11 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  further comprising at least one structural wall for securing said gate assembly to said berm and preventing a material of said berm from obstructing said gate. 
     
     
         12 . The gate assembly of  claim 11  wherein said at least one structural wall is approximately perpendicular to said front wall. 
     
     
         13 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said front wall further comprises a lip. 
     
     
         14 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said gate assembly is not an enclosed structure. 
     
     
         15 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  wherein said gate assembly is coupled to a berm. 
     
     
         16 . The gate assembly of  claim 1  further comprising an anchor. 
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling runoff in a berm having at least one exit location for said runoff, said method comprising:
 manipulating a gate in a gate assembly to control said runoff, wherein said gate assembly is located at one of said at least one exit locations, wherein said gate assembly comprises an opening disposed in a front wall for allowing fluid flow and a support structure attached to said opening for allowing said opening to be secured within said berm such that said runoff can be controlled by opening or closing said gate.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising the step installing said gate assembly in said berm. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said manipulating a gate comprises manipulating a latch coupled to said gate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said gate assembly is not part of an enclosed structure. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising coupling a fluid flow device to said gate assembly. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17  wherein said manipulating a gate comprises utilizing a handle secured to said support structure at a first end to apply a force to said gate. 
     
     
         23 . A gate assembly for installation in a berm to control a flow of runoff collected by said berm, said gate assembly comprising:
 a first wall having an opening located within the wall;   a cover for covering said opening that can be secured over said opening to prevent a flow of said runoff through said opening;   a second wall attached to a first end of said first wall;   a third wall attached to a second end of said first wall; and   a base attached to a bottom end of said first wall, said base configured to allow said base to rest against an earthen surface at a bottom of said berm;   wherein said first wall, second wall, third wall, and base are configured relative to each other such that said gate assembly can be installed in said berm in a manner that a berm material is prevented from obstructing said opening.   
     
     
         24 . The gate assembly of  claim 23  further comprising:
 at least one hinge connecting said cover to said first wall; and 
 at least one latch for securing said cover in a closed position. 
 
     
     
         25 . The gate assembly of  claim 23  wherein said second wall comprises a first flange extending from a dry end of said second wall away from said opening and wherein said third wall comprises a second flange extending from a dry end of said third wall away from said opening, said first flange and second flange configured to help secure said berm material around said gate assembly. 
     
     
         26 . The gate assembly of  claim 23  wherein said base extends outward beyond said second wall and said third wall in the manner that said berm material can be placed on a top side of said base to help secure said gate assembly within said berm. 
     
     
         27 . The gate assembly of  claim 23  further comprises a handle assembly to assist in the manipulation of said cover while a user is out of the way of a fluid flow from said opening. 
     
     
         28 . The gate assembly of  claim 27  wherein said handle assembly comprises a rod secured on a first end to said base adjacent said second wall and wherein said third wall comprises a stop attached to a top of said third wall for holding said rod in a fixed position across said cover.