17.

Discuss the following methods of determining water flow rate:

a. Bucket method

Simply measure the time it takes to fill a container of a known volume. This method only
works for systems with fairly low flow volume. Its main limitation is that the discharge must fall
from a pipe or ditch in such a way that the bucket can be placed underneath it to capture all the
discharge. Any size bucket can be used as long as it does not fill up too fast to get an accurate
measurement.

b. Float method

The float method is an adequate means of estimating flow especially in circumstances where
a flow meter is not available or when the water in the stream is not wadable. This method
requires the measurement and calculation of the cross-sectional area of the channel as well as the
time it takes an object to “float” a designated distance. This is the least accurate method but does
provide a reasonable estimate. The simplest way to measure flow is via a four-step process:
1) Measure the speed of the surface water (m/s) flow using float object.
2) Determine the cross-sectional area of the water source (m2)
3) Calculate the surface flow rate (m3/s).
Surface flow rate (m3/s) = Surface velocity (m/s) x Cross sectional area (m2)
4) Actual flow rate = surface flow rate from step 3 x Correction factor

c. Weir method

This is the most accurate method of measuring the flow in medium sized streams. A flow
measurement weir has a rectangular notch in it through which all the water in the stream flows. It
is useful typically for flows in the region of 0.05 - 1 m 3/s. The weir is built like a dam across the
stream, which causes all the water to flow over a rectangular notch of known dimensions. The
weir is best constructed with timber and made watertight with sandbags, sods or clay. The flow
rate can be determined from a single reading of the difference in height between the upstream
water level and the bottom of the notch. For reliable results, the crest of the weir must be kept
'sharp' and sediment must be prevented from accumulating behind the weir.