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    Discharge Measurement

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    Muhammad Sameer Azhar
    A gauging station is a location where water quantity and quality data is systematically collected. This document discusses the equipment and procedures used to measure stream discharge through current meter measurements. Key equipment includes current meters, sounding equipment like wading rods and weights, and width measuring tools. Current meters are either vertical or horizontal axis and come in various types suited to different flow velocities and depths. Discharge is calculated by taking velocity and depth measurements across a cross section of the stream.

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    Discharge Measurement

    Uploaded by

    Muhammad Sameer Azhar
    191 views53 pages
    A gauging station is a location where water quantity and quality data is systematically collected. This document discusses the equipment and procedures used to measure stream discharge through current meter measurements. Key equipment includes current meters, sounding equipment like wading rods and weights, and width measuring tools. Current meters are either vertical or horizontal axis and come in various types suited to different flow velocities and depths. Discharge is calculated by taking velocity and depth measurements across a cross section of the stream.

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    A gauging station is a location where water quantity and quality data is systematically collected. This document discusses the equipment and procedures used to measure stream discharge through current meter measurements. Key equipment includes current meters, sounding equipment like wading rods and weights, and width measuring tools. Current meters are either vertical or horizontal axis and come in various types suited to different flow velocities and depths. Discharge is calculated by taking velocity and depth measurements across a cross section of the stream.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    191 views53 pages

    Discharge Measurement

    Uploaded by

    Muhammad Sameer Azhar
    A gauging station is a location where water quantity and quality data is systematically collected. This document discusses the equipment and procedures used to measure stream discharge through current meter measurements. Key equipment includes current meters, sounding equipment like wading rods and weights, and width measuring tools. Current meters are either vertical or horizontal axis and come in various types suited to different flow velocities and depths. Discharge is calculated by taking velocity and depth measurements across a cross section of the stream.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    of 53

    DISCHARGE MEASUREMENT

    Gauging Station
    is a location on a stream where records of water quantity (and sometimes quality) are systematically obtained. It is also called an hydrometric station.

    Purposes
    Runoff volume data for storage or water licensing. Determining peak flow - time and quantity for spillway, culvert, bridge design. Determining low flow - periods and quantity for fish, water supply. Lake or reservoir level for recreation, storage, flooding, septic tanks. Baseline information for water quality. Causal relationships between watershed changes and flow regime changes.

    Types of Gauging Stations


    Non-Recording Gauges - Staff gauge - Wire weight - Float Tape - Crest-stage gauge Recording Gauges - Digital - Graphic

    Methods of Discharge Measurement


    Direct Method - Current meter - Moving boat measurement - Float method - Dye dilution method

    Indirect Method - Venturi meter measurement - Parshall flume measurement - Broad crested weir measurement - Slope Area method

    Current Meter Measurements


    A current meter measurement is the summation of the products of the partial areas of the stream x-section and the their respective average velocities. Two methods - Mean section method - Mid section method

    Instrument and Equipment


    Velocity measuring equipment Sounding equipment Width measuring equipment Equipment assemblies Miscellaneous equipment

    Velocity Measuring Equipment Surface float Velocity rods Current meter


    Vertical axis current meter Horizontal axis current meter

    Vertical Axis Current Meter


    Operates in lower velocities than do horizontal axis current meters. Bearings are well protected from silty water. Rotor is repairable in the field without adversely affecting the rating. Single rotor serves for the entire range of velocities. Types:Price A-Type Price AA-Type Pygmy

    Vertical Axis Current Meter

    Price A-Type
    One revolution, even two clicks for one revolution. Velocity range: 0.5 -2.5 fps

    Price AA-Type
    One revolution, penta gear (one click for 5 rev). Velocity range: 0.5 -20 fps

    Pygmy
    Approximately two-fifths the size of the Price 622AA meter. Designed for measuring streams that are too shallow to use the Price meter. Velocity range: 0.2 -2.5 fps

    Velocity Measurement Methods for Various Depths


    Depth (ft) 2.5 & above 1.5 2.5 0.3 1.5 Meter Type Type A or AA -dopygmy Velocity method 0.2 & 0.8 0.6 0.6

    Horizontal Axis Current Meter


    Rotor disturbs flow less than do vertical axis rotors because of axial symmetry with flow direction. Rotor is less likely to be entangled by debris than are vertical axis rotors. Bearing friction is less than for vertical axis rotors because bending moments on the rotor are eliminated.

    Horizontal Axis Current Meters

    Rating of Current Meter


    Rating tank 400 ft long, 6 ft wide & 6 ft deep. Flexible velocities are increased by 2% of the velocity observed by rigid suspension.

    Measurement of Velocity
    1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Vertical velocity curve Two points Six tenth depth Two tenth depth Three points Sub-surface

    Sounding Equipment
    Wading rods Sounding weights Sounding reels Handlines Sonic sounder

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)


    Wading rods
    The two types of wading rods commonly used i) top-setting rod; and ii) the round rod. The top-setting rod is preferred because of the convenience in setting the meter at the proper depth and because the hydrographer can keep his hands dry in the process. The round rod can be used in making ice measurements as well as wading measurements and has the advantage that it can be disassembled to 1-ft (0.3-m) lengths for storing and transporting.

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)


    Sounding weights
    If a stream is too deep or too swift to wade, the current meter is suspended in the water by cable from a boat, bridge, or cableway. A sounding weight is suspended below the current meter to keep it stationary in the water. The weight also prevents damage to the meter when the assembly is lowered to the streambed. The sounding weights used are the Columbus weights, commonly called the C type. The weights are streamlined to offer minimum resistance to flowing water. Each weight has a vertical slot and a drilled horizontal hole to accommodate a weight hanger and securing pin. Weights of 15, 30, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200 and 300 lb are used for measuring the discharge of deep, swift rivers.

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)

    C - Type Sounding Weights

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)

    Current Meter with 30 Ib C - Type Sounding Weight

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)


    Sounding reels
    A sounding reel has a drum for winding the sounding cable, a crank and ratchet assembly for raising and lowering the weight or holding it in any desired position, and a depth indicator. The U.S. Geological Survey has five types or sizes of sounding reel in common use, the choice of reel being dependent on the depth of water to be measured and on the weight required for sounding.

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)


    Sounding Reel Data
    Reel Drum circum. (ft) Max. weight recomnd. Opration Type

    A-pack Canfield A-55 B-56 E-53

    1 1 1 1.5 2

    50 50 100 200 300

    Hand Hand Hand Hand or Power Power

    Sounding Equipment (contd.)


    Handlines
    Handlines are devices used for making discharge measurement from bridge using light sounding weights; 15 or 30 lbs

    Sonic sounder
    A commercial, compact, portable sonic sounder has been adopted by the U.S. Geological Survey to measure stream depth. The sounder is powered by either a 6- or 12-volt battery.

    Width measuring equipment


    The distance to any point in a cross section is measured from an initial point on the bank. Cableways and bridges used regularly for making discharge measurements are commonly marked at 2, 5, 10, or 20 ft intervals by paint marks. For measurements made by wading, from boats, or from unmarked bridges, steel or metallic tapes or tag lines are used. Tag lines are made of galvanized steel aircraft cord. The standard lengths of tag line are 300, 400 and 500 ft but other sizes are also available.

    Equipment Assemblies
    Special equipment is necessary for each type of current-meter measurement, in addition to the meters, weights, and reels. The special equipment assemblies have been divided into five basic groups: cableway, bridge, boat, ice, and velocityazimuth-depth assembly (VADA) equipment.

    Equipment Assemblies (contd.)


    Cableway Equipment
    The cableway provides a track for the operation of a cable car from which the hydrographer makes a current-meter measurement. Cable cars also support the sounding reel and other necessary equipment. Both sitdown and standup types of cable cars are used in stream gaging. Normally, sitdown cars are used for cableway spans less than 400 ft and for lighter sounding weights are used. The standup car is used on the longer spans and where heavy sounding weights are needed.

    Equipment Assemblies (contd.)


    Bridge Equipment
    When one measures from a bridge, the meter and sounding weight can be supported by a handline, or by a sounding reel mounted on a crane, or by a bridge board. Two types of hand-operated portable cranes are the type A for use with weights up to 100 lb and the type E for heavier weights. Bridge boards (usually a plank about 6 to 8 ft) may be used with an A-pack or A-55 sounding reel and with weights up to 50 lb.

    Equipment Assemblies (contd.)


    Boat Equipment
    Extra-large tag-line reels are used on wide streams. Three different tag-line reels are used for boat measurements:
    i. ii. A heavy duty horizontal-axis reel without a brake and with a capacity of 2,000 ft of 1/8-in-diameter cable. A heavy-duty horizontal-axis reel with a brake and with a Capacity of 3,000 ft of I/8-in-diameter cable.

    iii. A vertical-axis reel without a brake and with a capacity of 800 ft (244 m) of 1/8-in-diameter cable.

    Equipment Assemblies (contd.)

    Boat Equipment (contd.)


    In addition to the equipment already mentioned, the following items are needed when making boat measurements:
    i. ii. A stable boat big enough to support the hydrographers and equipment. A motor that can move the boat with ease against the maximum current in the stream.

    iii. A pair of oars for standby use. iv. A life preserver for each hydrographer.

    Equipment Assemblies Ice Equipment

    (contd.)

    Current-meter measurements made under ice cover require special equipment for cutting holes in the ice through which to suspend the meter. Power ice drills are used to cut the holes. The drill weighs about 30 lb and under good conditions will cut through 2 ft of ice in about a minute.

    Equipment Assemblies (contd.)


    Velocity-Azimuth-Depth Assembly (VADA)
    It combines a sonic sounder with a remote-indicating compass and Price current meter to record depth, indicate the direction of flow, and permit observations of velocity at any point. This assembly is useful in tidal investigations and in other special studies, as well as at regular gaging stations, where it is desirable to determine the direction of flow beneath the water surface, because of the possibility that it may differ from that at the surface.

    Miscellaneous Equipment
    Timers Counting Equipment Waders Boots Headphones

    CURRENT-METER MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE


    Site Selection
    The first step in making a conventional current-meter measurement of discharge is to select a measurement cross section. The cross section should have the following qualities: i. Cross section lies within a straight reach, and streamlines are parallel to each other.

    ii. Velocities are greater than 0.5 ft/s and depths are greater than 0.5 ft. iii. Streambed is relatively uniform and free of numerous boulders and heavy aquatic growth. iv. Flow is relatively uniform and free of eddies, slack water, and excessive turbulence. v. Measurement section is relatively close to the gagingstation.

    CURRENT-METER MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE (contd.)

    Spacing of Verticals
    Space the partial sections (verticals) so that no partial section has more than 5% of the discharge for an ideal observation. Generally, 20-30 verticals are made. Equal width of partial sections across the entire section is not recommended. Less verticals may be chosen for a smooth flow through a well defined x-section.

    CURRENT-METER MEASUREMENT PROCEDURE (contd.)

    Recording of Data
    Name of stream and location Date, party, type of meter suspension and meter number Start time, end time Starting bank, ending bank (LEW or REW) Weather conditions Gauge heights & corresponding time Water, air temperatures

    Modes of Measurement
    There are different modes of measurement depending upon the kind of support used by the observer in crossing the stream and the manner in which the current meter is held in the desired position in water. a. Boat measurement b. Wading measurement c. Bridge measurement d. Cableway measurement e. Moving boat method

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