A flume is an open artificial water channel, that leads water from a diversion dam or weir completely aside a natural flow, often an elevated box structure (typically wood) that follows the natural contours of the land. These have been extensively used in hydraulic mining, for the transportation of logs in the logging industry, electric power generation and to power various mill operations by the use of a waterwheel. A flume can be used to measure the rate of flow, see Parshall flume. In competitive swimming, specialized flumes with transparent sides are often employed by coaches to analyze a swimmer's technique. The speed of the flow is variable to accommodate the full spectrum of swimming styles and ability. Recently, flumes became available in the retail market for the use of lower-level swimmers. These down-scaled flumes are ideal for a swimmer trying to improve but without access to a pool, as they easily fit inside any moderately-sized room. A flume is also a gateway through space and time in The Pendragon Adventure series of fantasy novels.
