Measuring discharge with acoustic Doppler current profilers from a moving boat

Abstract

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Water Mission Area is to provide the information and understanding needed for wise management of the Nation's water resources. Inherent in this mission is the responsibility of collecting data that accurately describe the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of water systems. These data are used for environmental and resource assessments by the USGS, other government agencies and scientific organizations, and the general public. Reliable and quality-assured data are essential to the credibility and impartiality of the water-resources appraisals carried out by the USGS. The development and use of guidelines for Measuring Discharge with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers from a Moving Boat are necessary to achieve consistency in the use of scientific methods and procedures, document the methods and procedures used, and maintain technical expertise in the process. USGS hydrographers and hydrologists can use this manual to ensure that the data collected are of the quality required to fulfill our mission. This 2013 update of Measuring Discharge with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers from a Moving Boat contains the most current information and guidance regarding acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) used by the USGS at the time of publication. The following memoranda are considered superseded or duplicated by the policy and procedures in this report and need not be referenced in the future: 2012.01-Processing ADCP Discharge Measurements On-site and Performing ADCP Check Measurements 2011.08-Exposure time for ADCP moving-boat discharge measurements made during steady flow conditions 2009.05-Publication of the Techniques and Methods Report Book 3-Section A22 "Measuring Discharge with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers from a Moving Boat" and associated policy and guidance for moving boat discharge measurements 2009.02-Release of WinRiver II Software (version 2.04) for Computing Streamflow from Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Data 2006.04-Availability of the report "Application of the Loop Method for Correcting Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler Discharge Measurements Biased by Sediment Transport" by David S. Mueller and Chad R. Wagner (USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2006-5079) and guidance on the application of the Loop Method 2005.05-Guidance on the use of RD Instruments StreamPro Acoustic Doppler Profiler 2005.04-Release of WinRiver Software version 10.06 for Computing Streamflow from Acoustic Profiler Data 2003.04-Release of WinRiver Software version 10.05 for Computing Streamflow from Acoustic Profiler Data iv 2002.03-Release of WinRiver Software (version 10.03) for Computing Streamflow from Acoustic Profiler Data 2002.01-Configuration of Acoustic Profilers (RD Instruments) for Measurement of Streamflow 2002.02-Policy and Technical Guidance on Discharge Measurements using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers The development of new and improved ADCPs is ongoing, as are the research and practical field experience with existing and new ADCPs, which li...

Water and nutrient budgets for Vancouver Lake, Vancouver, Washington, October 2010-October 2012

“…6) according to standard techniques of the USGS (Rantz, 1982a(Rantz, , 1982bMueller and Wagner, 2009) periodically throughout the study.…”

Water-quality and biological conditions in selected tributaries of the Lower Boise River, southwestern Idaho, water years 2009-12

“…Both streamgages provided continuous stream stage data from which a continuous record of discharge was generated using a stage-discharge relation. The streamgages were operated and discharge measurements made and processed according to methods described by Mueller and Wagner (2009) and Turnipseed and Sauer (2010). Discharge records were computed according to methods described in Rantz and others (1982).…”

Streamflow monitoring and statistics for development of water rights claims for Wild and Scenic Rivers, Owyhee Canyonlands Wilderness, Idaho, 2012

“…Streamflow measurements were made using acoustic Doppler current profilers and acoustic Doppler velocimeters, and were processed according to methods described in Mueller and Wagner (2009) and Turnipseed and Sauer (2010) (fig. 9).…”

“…CSA site locations were selected on the basis of the availability of a stream reach of sufficient length, minimum variability in channel shape between cross sections, and sufficient slope in water surface along the reach. Monthly and miscellaneous measurement sites were selected based on site access, proximity to a wilderness area downstream boundary, and the availability of a suitable measurement cross section as defined in Mueller and Wagner (2009) and Turnipseed and Sauer (2010).…”

“…When USGS personnel visited the new location in June 2012 to install the pressure transducer, no streamflow was observed at the wilderness boundary nor as far as access would permit up the stream reach. The three streamflow measurements made at the Big Jacks Creek streamgage (USGS 13169450) were made and processed according to methods described in Mueller and Wagner (2009) and Turnipseed and Sauer (2010). Gage height was measured at the streamgage using a Sutron Accubar non-submersible pressure transducer.…”