Streamflow Measurements with FlowTracker Handheld ADV on a Wading Rod

January, 2001 - SonTek's FlowTracker Handheld ADV (Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter) was used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Indiana District personnel to measure discharge in eight local streams. Tag lines were set up, and the FlowTracker was mounted on a top-setting wading rod (Figure 1). The FlowTracker's hand-held keypad/LCD display was mounted on a bracket near the top of the wading rod (Figure 2). The FlowTracker's ADV probe was mounted to the wading rod using the probe's built-in attachment (Figure 3).

Eight discharge measurements were made in different streams with stream flows ranging from 1.3 cfs to 400 cfs, and velocities from less than 0.1 ft/s to nearly 3 ft/s. Measurements were compared to conventional AA and Pygmy-style instruments with good overall agreement.

	Figure 1. FlowTracker mounted on a top-setting wading rod.
	Figure 2. The integrated display and processor lets you easily compute streamflow on the fly.
	Figure 3. The probe is shown mounted to the wading rod. The unique 2D/3D design allows for 2D velocity measurements in water as shallow as one inch, or 3D measurements in deeper water.

Note: Use of this instrument by USGS personnel does not imply endorsement by the USGS.

• FlowTracker Handheld ADV

For information about the USGS policy on FlowTracker discharge measurements:

• 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