Application and technology news for environmental professionals

Search site

River Flow Measurements: Real-Time

Solutions
By Fondriest Staff on July 27, 2010

Water level sensors are commonly used in river and stream monitoring applications
because they are cost-effective ways to estimate real-time river flow measurements. The
river or streams level can be used with a water flow rating curve to estimate flow
continuously. Level is measurable either with a pressure, bubbler, or non-contact radar
sensor.
What is river flow?
Volumetric flow rate measures the speed at which a volume of water in a river is
travelling downstream (often reported in cubic feet per second). When flow rate
increases, water has a greater ability to erode its channel and banks. More and heavier
sediment can be carried by the river, which increases the rivers turbidity.

Making River Flow Measurements

The volumetric flow rate of water (discharge) is commonly estimated from the
measured water-surface elevation (stage) using an empirical fit to measurements of
stage and concurrent discharge. This is referred to as the stage-discharge relationship, or
stream rating.
Measuring the changes in water level over time is only one component to developing a
stage discharge relationship. In order to obtain a good estimate of flow, point discharge
measurements should be taken periodically to establish and maintain a good rating
curve. Each discharge measurement is correlated to the water level at the time the
measurement was taken. With this information, discharge data can be interpolated and
applied to the full range of water level measurements.
Point discharge measurements in wadeable streams can be obtained using a handheld
velocity meter mounted to a wading rod. The SonTek FlowTracker is one such
instrument commonly used by government organizations such as the U.S. Geological
Survey. In non-wadeable stream environments, a more sophisticated stream discharge
measurement system is often required. Towable Doppler velocity systems mounted on
either a boat or Trimaran are commonly used to measure discharge in these situations.
Level Sensors
Pressure Sensors

There are two basic kinds of pressure sensors: absolute and vented.
An absolute pressure sensor, such as the In-Situ Aqua
TROLL 200, measures the combined pressure exerted
on it by the atmosphere and the head of water above it.
In order to determine only the waters pressure, absolute
sensors must be paired with a nearby barometric sensor.
The barometric pressure is then subtracted from the
absolute sensor reading to obtain accurate water pressure
information. On the other hand, a vented pressure
sensor, such as the NexSens AccuStage Vented Water
Level Sensor, automatically corrects for changes in
barometric pressure and does not need a barometer.
For each of these types, the sensor is fixed below the minimum expected water level,
and a cable containing the sensor signals connects to a data logger. Cables for vented
sensors also carry a vent tube. The pressure sensor is the most common type of stream
gauge sensor because it is relatively cost-effective to install and maintain.

Bubbler Sensors

Bubbler sensors, including the OTT Compact Bubbler

Sensor, measure the water level by detecting the
pressure required to force an air bubble through a
submerged tube. The pressure is proportional to the
water level. A bubble tube runs from a shore-mounted
air compressor or air tank to a surface water orifice in
the stream. The orifice is fixed below the minimum
expected water level and diffuses the air bubble into the
water. Damage from debris and floods is minimal with
bubblers, as the bubble tubing and orifice are relatively
inexpensive. Bubbler systems offer high accuracy and
do not drift over time.
Each kind of level sensor presents its own series of tradeoffs. Whats important is
determining the sensor that best meets the individual application needs of a specific
project. For assistance determining the most appropriate and cost-effective solution,
contact a Fondriest Environmental application engineer via e-mail at
customercare@fondriest.com or call (888) 426.2151.
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lafaske/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Tomado de: http://www.fondriest.com/news/flowlevelmeasurements.htm