Chapter 4

Stream Flow Measurement

 INTRODUCTION

• Rainfall has an effect on stream flow and hydraulics tends to

measure the relationship between rainfall and stream flow.

• The aim of measuring stream flow is mainly in establishing a

stage discharge relationship.
Components of the Flow :

Rainfall

Overland Flow

Interflow Channel Flow

(Streamflow)
Groundwater
STAGE-DISCHARGE RELATIONS

• Simultaneous measurements of stage and

discharge provide a calibration graph known
as stage-discharge relations or rating curve.
• Stage: Height of stream level measured from
an arbitrary datum.
• Depth: Measured from the bottom of the
channel.
• The datum can also be the mean sea level. A
plot of stage Vs discharge is made to obtain a
rating curve.
STAGE MEASUREMENT

• Methods :
1. Manual or Non recording stream gauge :
a. Staff b. Wire(String)
2. Recording stream gauge :
a. Float type b. Bubble gauge
 STAGE MEASUREMENT

1. Manual Gages(Non recording)

a) Staff Gauges:
• A series of posts each overlapping called
sectional staff gauge
• The height above a certain datum is
measured.
• The stage is usually related to height above
mean sea level (msl).
(b) Wire gauge
A certain datum level is on the bridge and a
string having a weight electrically connected is
lowered to the water surface to get the depth
of water surface
Wire gauge
 STAGE MEASUREMENT

Rules Guiding Location of Gauges

• a) Gauges should not be located in rivers with
scouring characteristics.
• b) The locations should not be in river bends
because the water surface is inclined and
there is turbulence making the stage
measurement inconsistent.
• c) The location should be in the upstream of a
natural control, not downstream.
Calm area

Rapid
 STAGE MEASUREMENT
Rules Guiding Location of Gauges

d) A uniform channel helps good stage

measurement. Irregular cross sections should
be avoided.

O.K. Avoid this irregular section

 STAGE MEASUREMENT
2. Recording Gauges

• They have advantages over the

manual ones.
• a) Float Gauge: Float movement
fluctuates with change in stage and
this is recorded by a chart. In
hydrologic measurements, both the
big and low flows are measured within
the chart.
 STAGE MEASUREMENT

2. Recording Gauges

(b) Bubble Gauge

 STAGE MEASUREMENT

2. Recording Gauges

(b) Bubble Gauge

Advantages over the float-type recording gage

• The stilling well, which is expensive, is not needed.

• Large changes (up to 30 m) in water-surface elevation can
be measured.
• The inlet is less likely to be blocked because of the gas
pressure.
• The recorder assembly can be located far away from the
sensing point.
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

Current Meter: It has a propeller which is rotated when water hits it and
is connected to magnets which actuates recorders when the propeller
rotates.
The velocity of water increases the propeller rotation.
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
Current Meter

[Link]
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
Current Meter
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
Current Meter (Contd.)

The number of rotations are measured and correlated to

velocity using the formula:
• v = a + bN where N is the rotation of the propeller
(revolutions per sec {rps})
• a and b are coefficients determined by calibration in an
experimental flume.
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

Current Meter Calibration

Velocity v = a + bN
Surface Velocity

b 0.6 D
1 D
Average Vel
a

Propeller Rotation, N
 VELOCITY
Current Meter MEASUREMENTS
Field Use

• Considering the velocity profile with depth, average value of

velocity can be obtained at 0.6 of the depth. i.e. V = average
velocity is at about 0.6 D.
• An alternative of using the 0.6 D velocity is to take 0.2 and 0.8
velocities and obtain the averages.
• The later method is more accurate but in a shallow cross-
section, the velocity at 0.2 D may be difficult to measure so use
a single value at 0.6 D.
Discharge Measurements using
1. Area-Velocity Method :
Q = Vav * A
Vav = V0.6 for shallow stream ; depth < 3 m
Vav = (V0.8 +V0.2)/2 for moderate stream
Vav = K V0.5 for deep stream –flood flow
K=0.85 to 0.95
Velocity Measurements :
1. Velocity of float : Vav = C Vf
2. Current meters : Vav = a + b N

Q = Σ qi = Σ vi ai
 W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6

y1 y2 y3 y4 y5

𝑊2 𝑊3
Q2=(AV)= + ∗ 𝑦2 ∗ 𝑣 2
2 2
𝑊3 𝑊4
Q3=(AV)= + ∗ 𝑦3 ∗ 𝑣 3
2 2
 Wk

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6

y1 y2 y3 y4 y5

yk

𝑊2
Wk= 𝑊1 + 2
1
Q1=AV=( × 𝑊𝑘 × 𝑦𝑘 ) × 𝑉1
2
𝑊2 𝑊
𝑊1+ 2 2
𝑦𝑘 𝑊𝑘 𝑊1 + 2 1
=2 × (𝑊1 +
𝑊2
)× ( y1 ) × V1
= = 2 𝑊1
𝑦1 = 𝑊1 𝑊1 𝑊
(𝑊1 + 22 )2
𝑊
𝑊1+ 2 2
= × 𝑦1 × 𝑉1
2𝑊1
Yk= * y1
𝑊1
 Wk

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W6

y1 y2 y3 y4 y5

yk

1
Q1=AV=( × 𝑊𝑘 × 𝑦𝑘 ) × 𝑉1
2
𝑊
𝑊1+ 2 2
𝑊 1
× (𝑊1 +
𝑊2
)× y1 ) × V1
(𝑊6 + 25 )2 =2 2
( 𝑊1
𝑄5 = × 𝑦5 × 𝑉5 𝑊
2𝑊6 (𝑊1 + 22 )2
= × 𝑦1 × 𝑉1
2𝑊1
Guidelines in choosing sections:
Problem:
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
2. Velocity Measurements by Float

• V=s/t
• S= distance travelled by the float in time t
• t= time require to travel s distance
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

3. Moving Boat Method

Propeller type current meter

 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

4. Tracer method

(a) Sudden injection of

tracer

[Link]

[Link]
VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS

5. Electromagnetic method
See Subramanya
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
6. Ultrasonic method

Vp

Distance=L
Velocity=c+Vp
 VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS
Other methods

7. Indirect Methods :
Measure flow depth (y) to get Q by :

•* Flow measuring structures : such as weirs , orifices , …

* Slope-area methods : such as Chezy , Manning , Hayzen

 Reading Assignment

Advantages and Disadvantages

of all
VELOCITY MEASUREMENTS TECHNIQUES
 Rating Curve

• The essence of the rating curve is that when the curve is

established for a particular stream, subsequent determinations
of discharges are merely obtained by dipping a measuring stick
to measure the stage.
• Discharge is then read from the rating curve.
• The rating curve should be checked from time to time for
accurate measurements.
Rating Curve Graph

Stage
depth Rating Curve
stage

Discharge
Datum
Stage –discharge relationship
Permanent control
single stage-discharge relationship
integrated effect ofa=Stage
all flow parameter
corresponding to zero
discharge

1. Simple Rating Curve :

a . on arithmetic Paper : Parabolic curve as :
Q = C(𝑮 − 𝒂)𝜷
b. On logarithmic paper : straight line as :
log Q = 𝜷 log ( G– a )+ log C
Y =mx+c
Stage for zero discharge
calculation of ‘a’
• Method 1:
• Method 2

• method3
Stage –discharge relationship

SHIFT CONTROL
 It is common for controls to change…

Photographer standing on
debris jam before flood

Photographer in
approximately same location
after flood
Most natural channels are dynamic--channel shape changes
to carry the imposed load

Increasing Sediment Size Increasing Slope

Aggradation
Degradation Aggradation
Aggradation
Degradation
Degradation

Modified from Lane, 1955

Shifting controls

Change of stage discharge with time due to:

1. the changing characteristics of channel
2. aggradations or degradation of alluvial channel
3. variable backwater effect (the gauging section)
Downstream obstruction or
joining new stream with high discharge
4. unsteady flow effects (rapidly change stage)

For 1 & 2 it is recommended to update rating curves frequently

For 3 shifting control is recommended

For 4 develop loop curve

 Shifts are referred to in many ways:
Base Rating

Often will prorate to negative shift on a

•Negative shift recession as sediment falls out.
•Minus shift
•Shift to the left
•Filling shift
Stage

Often will prorate to positive shift •Positive shift

as velocities increase on a rise to •Plus shift
sometime soon after the peak. •Shift to the right
•Scouring shift

Discharge
 Shift control

For same u/s Q,

Low d/s WL means fall (difference) high and discharge high

High d/s WL means fall (difference) low and discharge low

Future use:
1. Measure G1 , G2, and then compute fall (F1)
2. Compute F1/Fo where Fo is the assumed Fo of graphs
3. For computed F1/Fo find Q1/Qo from adjustment curve
4. Find Qo from graph 1 for given G1 from the constant fall curve
5. Q1=Q1/Q0*Qo
Unsteady Flow effect
Extrapolation of rating curve
Hydrometry station density