Chapter 8

Velocity Measurement

Outline:

• Theory behind measuring velocity
• Velocity measurement methods
  • Float method
  • Propeller velocity meter
  • Electromagnetic velocity sensor
  • Ultrasonic doppler velocity meter
  • Acoustic doppler velocity profiler

Textbook reading:

• none.

Other reading:

• Gore, J. A. 1996. Chapter 3- Discharge Measurements and Streamflow Analysis. In (Hauer, F.R. and Lamberti, G.A., eds.) Methods in Stream Ecology. Academic Press, San Diego, p. 53-74.
• Here are some useful references:
  • Buchanan, T. J. and Somers, W. P. 1968. Stage measurement at gaging stations. U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS, Book 3 Chapter A7.
  • Buchanan, T. J. and Somers, W. P. 1969. Discharge measurement at gaging stations. U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS, Book 3 Chapter A8.
  • Smoot, G. F. and Novak, C. E. 1968. Calibration and maintenance of vertical-axis type current meters. U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the USGS, Book 8 Chapter B2.
  • Fasken, G. B. 1963. Guide for selecting roughness coefficient "n" values for channels.U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
  • Limerinos, J. T. 1969. Determination of the Manning coefficient from measured bed roughness in natural channels. United States Geological Survey Open-file report.

Related web links:

• Propeller velocity meters
• Rickly Hydrological Company- carries complete line of USGS standard equipment.
• Global Water- carries low cost probe.
• Swoffer Instruments, Inc.
• Gurley precision Instruments
• Great Atlantic trading Company
• Electromagnetic velocity meters
  • Marsh-McBirney, Inc.
• Ultrasonic velocity meters
  • Unidata, Inc
• Acoustic doppler velocity profilers
  • SonTek
  • Sunwest Technologies, Inc.

Video Podcast: Water Velocity, Part 1

This 28-minute presentation introduces basic concepts governing water velocity in rivers that you'd want to know before trying to measure it.

• 640 x 480 (480p) format that balances speed and quality. (302 MB file)
• 1920 x 1280 (HD) format that provides larges size and best quality. (2.9 GB file)

Video Podcast: Water Velocity, Part 2

This 35-minute presentation explains the various technologies available to measure velocity in a river.

• 640 x 480 (480p) format that balances speed and quality. (539 MB file)
• 1920 x 1280 (HD) format that provides larges size and best quality. (3.3 GB file)

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