An absorbing dynamometer acts as a load that is driven by the prime mover that is under test (e.g. Pelton wheel). The dynamometer must be able to operate at any speed and load to any level of torque that the test requires.
While some causes are obvious, such as hurricanes and snow melt, many are not. Heavy Rains: Cresting rivers, backed-up storm drains, or saturated ground can cause significant floods. Heavy rains can contribute to flash floods, which are the number one weather-related killer in the United States. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas in less than six hours. Heavy rains also increase the chance of mudflows, rivers of liquid, and flowing mud.
In addition, debris flows and mudflows usually occur in small, steep stream channels and often are mistaken for floods; in fact, these two events often occur simultaneously in the same area. Landslides can cause flooding by forming landslide dams that block valleys and stream channels, allowing large amounts of water to back up. This causes backwater flooding and, if the dam fails, subsequent downstream flooding.