Tidal flow system and method for causing water to flow through waterways

Claim 1

A tidal flow system for causing flow of water through a waterway in one direction to flush said waterway and prevent stagnation of water and accumulation of debris and pollutants or the like therein and to create a food and water condition for marine life growth superior to that naturally obtained, comprising a pair of laterally spaced waterways extending inland from a body of water subject to tidal action, said waterways connected at one of their ends to said body of water and receiving water therefrom, said waterways connected with each other inland from said body of water to define a closed waterway loop for the flow of water subject to tidal action from said body of water, water operated, one-way valve means in said waterway loop between the ends thereof dividing the waterway loop into a relatively short end on one side of the valve and a relatively long end on the other side thereof so that the level of water rises on said one side of the valve before it rises on the other side thereof due to tidal action and falls on said one side of the valve before it falls on the other side thereof due to tidal action to obtain water flow through the waterway from the cleanest source, said valve being opened to discharge water from one of said ends into the other of said ends of the waterway loop, and closed to prevent the reverse flow, responsive to the difference in water level on opposite sides of the valve, thus causing a flow of water through said waterway in one direction with each change in tide to prevent stagnation of water and accumulation of debris and the like therein and to improve the marine environment in said waterway.