Discharge Applications

Instruments

Examples

• RiverCat - Integrated ADP catamaran system

• Hell's Canyon Discharge Data - A RiverCat mounted on a kayak collects discharge measurement data for the Idaho Power Company on the Snake River.
• TechNote (PDF): Establishing a Discharge Monitoring Site

• RiverSurveyor - Integrated ADP system

• Amazon River Discharge Data - RiverSurveyor's discharge measurement of over 4,000,000 ft³/s within 1% of predicted value.
• Discharge Demonstration - Describes a discharge demonstration conducted for USGS and CDWR using adjacently-mounted profilers.
• Flood Plain Research - Describes how the Flathead Lake Biological Station is using a RiverSurveyor to measure depth, flow velocity, and discharge data for flood plain research in Montana.
• Flood Study Using Stationary Method - Describes a case study in Derby, UK
• Peruvian River Discharge Measurements - A Florida International University project studies shallow water hydraulics with a mini-ADP.
• TechNote (PDF): Establishing a Discharge Monitoring Site

• ADP - Acoustic Doppler Profiler

• Velocity Indexing - Describes how ADPs are being used in Everglades National Park to continuously measure discharge using a technique known as velocity-indexing.

• Argonaut-SL (Side-Looking)
• Argonaut-SW (Shallow water)
• Argonaut-XR (Extended Range)

• Index Velocities - Describes use of four SLs in California Delta to obtain index velocities.
• Kankakee River - Describes how an Argonaut-SL was used to develop a standard cross-section to monitor discharge in the Kankakee River.
• Lower Owens River Project - Describes how Argonaut-SLs and SWs are being used in one of the largest river restoration projects.
• River Gauging - Describes a practical approach to carrying out river gauging using an Argonaut-SL. This method provides considerable improvement in velocity accuracy over travel-time systems, while reducing operational costs.
• Travel Time - Describes the results of a comparison test between an Argonaut-SL and a travel time system installed on a bridge in The Netherlands.
• TechNote (PDF): Establishing a Discharge Monitoring Site

• Argonaut-SW (Shallow Water)

• Havasu National Wildlife Refuge - An Argonaut-SW is being used in a culvert to monitor discharge into a marsh.
• SW Goes All the Way - Evaluation of Argonaut-SW ability to collect data to the water's surface; comparison made with FlowTracker.
• Canal Renovation - Spain modernization in irrigation areas and to improve water use will use SWs during canal renovation.
• TechNote (PDF): Establishing a Discharge Monitoring Site

• FlowTracker Handheld ADV

• Arkansas Stream Gauging Program - Describes the advantages of using a FlowTracker for stream-gauging measurements.
• Hot Spring Measurements - Describes how a FlowTracker was used to take measurements in a Yellowstone National Park hot spring.
• Indiana Stream Discharge - Describes how USGS personnel used a FlowTracker to measure discharge in eight Indiana streams.
• South Platte River - Describes a model verification project using a FlowTracker at Colorado State University.
• Tow Tank Test - Describes how the FlowTracker Handheld ADV was tested at a USGS tow tank.
• USGS Discharge Measurement Policy - The following link is to a Technical Memorandum issued by the U.S. Geological Survey's Office of Surface Water. This memorandum [pdf format] describes the USGS policy on the use of the FlowTracker for discharge measurements. The information presented in this memorandum is a courtesy from the USGS, and should not be construed as an endorsement. Additionally, this memorandum is provided "as-is"; that is, the USGS does not provide support for this memorandum outside its own agency.
  http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/memos/OSW2004-04.pdf