Measurement of Streamflow

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Definition of Streamflow
ƒ Streamflow, or discharge, is defined as the
volumetric rate of flow of water (volume per unit
time) in an open channel
ƒ Streamflow in the USGS is usually expressed in
English dimensions of cubic feet per second
(ft3/s) or CFS.

Velocity-Area Method
Discharge = (Mean water velocity) x (Cross-section
area of water)

or
Discharge = (Water velocity) x ((Width) x (Depth))
Velocity-Area Method
Discharge =

X Mean Water Velocity

Cross Section Area

The Current Meter

Price AA Price
Pygmy
Acoustic Current Meter
ƒ SonTek/YSI
FlowTracker

ADCPs
ADCPs

The Current Meter Method

Miscellaneous Measurement
Methods

Miscellaneous Measurement
Methods
Measuring High Flow

Measuring High Flow

Measuring High Flow

Conventional Current Meter-Method

• The USGS measures water depth and velocity in at least 20 locations
or verticals (generally >25 verticals) across the channel.

• Velocity is measured at each location at water depths that best

represent average velocity at that location.
Conventional Current Meter-Method
ƒ The places where depth and velocity are measured
(verticals) define subsections of the channel cross
section.
ƒ Discharge is determined by summing discharge in
these subsections using the “mid-section method”

Conventional Current Meter-Method

ƒ The places where depth and velocity are measured
(verticals) define subsections of the channel cross
section.
ƒ Discharge is determined by summing discharge in
these subsections using the “mid-section method”
The Midsection method

The Midsection Method

The Midsection method

Measurement of Velocity
ƒ Current-meter measures velocity at a point
ƒ Discharge measurements require determination of
the mean velocity in each of the selected verticals
ƒ Mean velocity in a vertical can be approximated by
making velocity observations and using a known
relation between those velocities and the mean in the
vertical.
Velocity Curve

Two-Point Method
ƒ Generally used for depths greater than or
equal to 2.5 ft
ƒ Velocity observations are made at the 0.2 and
0.8 depth below the surface.
ƒ The average of the two observations is used
as the mean velocity in the vertical
Six-Tenths-Depth Method
ƒ Generally used for relatively shallow
conditions at depths <2.5 ft.
ƒ Observation of velocity at 0.6-depth below the
surface is used as the mean velocity in the
vertical.

Three-Point Method
ƒ Used when the velocities in the vertical are
abnormally distributed
ƒ Velocities are observed at the 0.2, 0.6, and
0.8-depth
ƒ Mean velocity is computed by averaging the
0.2 and 0.8-depth observations and then
averaging that result with the 0.6-depth
observation
Depth, in feet Current meter Velocity Method
2.5 and greater Price Type AA 0.2 and 0.8
1.5 – 2.5 Price Type AA 0.6
0.3 –1.5 Price Pygmy 0.6
1.5 and greater Price Pygmy 0.2 and 0.8
0.3 –1.5 Acoustic Doppler 0.6
Velocimeter (ADV)
1.5 and greater ADV 0.2 and 0.8

Surface-Velocity Method
• In a natural channel a surface-velocity
coefficient of 0.85 or 0.86 is used to compute
mean velocity
• In a smooth artificial channel a surface
velocity coefficient of 0.90 is used
Selection of Measurement Cross
Section
ƒ Cross section lies within a strait reach, and
streamlines are parallel to each other
ƒ Velocities are greater than 0.5 ft/s and depths are
greater than 0.5 ft
ƒ Streambed is relatively uniform and free of numerous
boulders and heavy aquatic growth
ƒ Measurement section is relatively close to gaging-
station control to avoid the effect of tributary inflow,
and storage during periods of rapidly changing stage

Selection of Measurement Cross

Section
Selection of Measurement Cross
Section

Spacing of Observation Verticals

ƒ Spacing of verticals is determined to provide about
25 to 30 subsections or more
ƒ No subsection should have more than 10 percent of
the total discharge
ƒ Ideal measurement has no subsection more than 5
percent of the total discharge
ƒ Spacing between verticals should be closer in areas
of the cross section that have greater depths and
velocities
ƒ Note: Ideal measurements are seldom achieved with
25 subsections
 Indirect Measurement of Discharge

Discharge measurements are used to

develop rating curves

100

Rating Curve
Stage (ft)

10

Discharge Measurements

1
1 10 100 1000 10000 100000
Discharge (cfs)
Questions?