Chapter 4Stream flow
- Manual Gages- Recording Gages- Crest Stage Gages- Miscellaneous Stage Gages- Selection of Station Site
I. Water Stage
II. Discharge
Current MetersCurrent-Meter RelationshipStage-Discharge RelationshipExtension of Rating CurvesEffects of Ice on StreamflowOther Methods of Obtaining Streamflow DataPlanning a Streamflow Network
III. Interpretation of the Stream flow Data
Water YearsHydrographsMean Daily FlowsAdjustment of Streamflow DataMean Annual RunoffStreamflow Variations
- is the flow of water in streams, rivers, and other channels.- is also a major element of thehydrologic cycle.Streamflow
Importance of Stream flow measurement
Flood warnings and forecasts Drinking water management Irrigation Hydroelectric power production Wastewater discharges Preservation of aquatic habitats Recreation Infrastructure designs for highways, bridges, culverts, dams, and levees etc.
USGS
- U.S. Geological Survey Rio Grande River in New Mexico 1889- potential water supplies for irrigation
Manual Gages
River stage -is an important concept when analyzing how much water is moving in a stream at any given moment. Stage is the water level above some arbitrary point, usually with the zero height being near the river bed, in the river and is commonly measured in feet.
Staff Gages- provide a quick and easy visual indicator of water level and flow.
Sectional Staff Gages
Wire weight gauge
Recording gauge- consist of a group of instruments that produce a record of water surface elevation with respect to time.
In streams having daily fluctuations, continuous records provide the most accurate means of determining the daily average gage height.
2. Maximum and minimum stage are recorded, and the time they occurred can be noted.
3. Records can be obtained at stations where observers are not always availableAdvantages
Analog Recording gauge
Recording gauge
Digital gauge
Crest Stage GagesThe Crest-Stage Gage is a simple and economical device that can located along a stream bank to record peak flows.
Crest Stage Gages
AdvantagesInexpensiveRugged designMeasures peak stage with reasonable accuracy
Only measures peak stage of highest eventDoes not record date or timeDoes not record all events between site visitsDisadvantages
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