Measurement of

Discharge/Streamflow
Measurement of Discharge
by Velocity-Area Method
Outline
1. Measurement of Discharge by Velocity-Area Method
• Streamflow
• Several basic methods to determine streamflow
• Velocity-Area method
• Determination of discharge
• Determination of area
• Determination of average water velocity
• Current meter
• Float method

2. Measurement of Discharge by Stage-Discharge Method

Streamflow
• Water flow within a river
channel, for example expressed
in m3/s. A synonym for river
discharge (IPCC, 2013)
• Streamflow = overland flow +
interflow + baseflow
Several basic methods of streamflow
measurement
• Bucket Method VELOCITY-AREA METHOD
• Weir Method - reliable and applicable to a
• Salt-dilution Method wide range of sites and discharges
• Slope-area Method - can be used for larger
streams
• Stage-discharge method
- difficult to use with very
• Velocity-area method shallow streams
Velocity-Area Method
Determination of Discharge w
𝑑1 𝑑2 𝑑3 𝑑4 𝑑5 𝑑6 𝑑7 𝑑8 𝑑9

𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎4

Q = AV
Where: Q = discharge, cms; A = area, sq.m; V =
velocity, m/s 𝑸 = 𝒂𝟏 𝒗𝟏 + 𝒂𝟐 𝒗𝟐 + 𝒂𝟑 𝒗𝟑 + ⋯ 𝒂𝒏 𝒗𝒏

More accurate results may be determined Determining the area

through determining the discharge through
partial areas (An)
𝒅𝟐 + 𝒅𝟑
𝒂𝟑 = 𝒘
𝟐
Where: a3 = partial area, sq.m, d2 & d3 =depth,
m, w = width of partial area, m
 𝒅𝟐 + 𝒅𝟑 Where: a3 = partial area, sq.m,
Determination of area 𝒂𝟑 =
𝟐
𝒘 d2 & d3 =depth, m, w = width
of partial area, m

In the field, a surveying tape can be

stretched along the stream w
𝑑1 𝑑2 𝑑3 𝑑4 𝑑5 𝑑6 𝑑7 𝑑8 𝑑9

𝑎1 𝑎2 𝑎3 𝑎4

And a ruler or calibrated stick can

be used to measure the DEPTH of
water at appropriate point along
the tape
Determination of water velocity
Current meter – the most common
method for measuring velocities at any
depth in larger streams and rivers
which are not turbulent

A price current meter

The speed of rotation of cups being

a function of the velocity of water
Used to measure v in the range of 0.2
to 5 m/s with probable error of 2 %
Example
A river with a total width of 8 meters was subdivided into 4 partial areas, using
a digital price current meter, the average velocities were measured as 1.0, 1.2,
0.8 and 0.6 m/s respectively, the depths were measured as 1.0, 1.5 and 0.8 m.
Determine the river discharge.
Given: d1 = 1.0 m; d2 = 1.5 m ; d3 = 0.8 m; v1 = 1.0 m/s; v2 = 1.2 m/s; v3 = 0.8 m/s; v4 = 0.6 m/s ; w = 2 m

Find: Q
Solution:

𝑄 = 𝑎1 𝑣1 + 𝑎2 𝑣2 + 𝑎3 𝑣3 + ⋯ 𝑎𝑛 𝑣𝑛
𝑑1 𝑑1 + 𝑑2 𝑑2 + 𝑑3 𝑑3
Q= 𝑤𝑣1 + 𝑤𝑣2 + 𝑤𝑣3 + 𝑤𝑣4 Answer:
2 2 2 2

Q=
1
2(1) +
1 + 1.5
2(1.2) +
1.5 + 0.8
2(0.8) +
0.8
2(0.6) Q = 6.32 cms
2 2 2 2
Float Method – easiest method for Surface velocity
determining velocities in a stream,
requires no equipment, but cannot be 𝑫
𝒗𝒔 =
used accurately for shallow streambed 𝒕
Where: D = distance, m; t = time, s

Average velocity

𝐯 = 𝑪 𝒗𝒔
Where: C = correction factor

When vs is measured at the center of

stream (C= 0.6 for a stream with
rocky bed, 0.85 for smooth bed)c

When vs is measured over that

partial area (c = 0.75 for shallow
streams, c = 0.95 for deep
streams)
Example
The discharge in a stream with a smooth bed and the profile is to be
determined. A float placed near the center of the stream takes 8.4 s to cover
10.0 m. Determine the discharge if the cross sectional area is 0.7 sq.m.

Given:t = 8.4 s; D = 10.0 m; A =0.7 sq.m

Find: Q
Solution:

𝐷 10.0 𝑚 𝑚
𝑣𝑠 = = = 1.2 𝑚 𝑚3
𝑡 8.4 𝑠 𝑠 𝑄 = 𝐴𝑉 = 0.7 𝑚2 1.0 = 0.7
𝑠 𝑠
Answer:
𝑚 𝑚
𝑣 = 𝐶 𝑣𝑠 = 0.85 1.2 = 1.0
𝑠 𝑠 Q = 0.7 cms
Measurement of Discharge
by Stage-Discharge Method
Stage-discharge method involves
development of a stage-discharge rating
curve
Rating curve is a graph of discharge versus stage Wherein, numerous measurements of stream
for a given point on a stream, usually at gauging discharge (using a current meter or velocity area
stations. method) are made over a range of stream stages (or
water level).
stage-discharge relationship
180 Stage Q,cms
160 y = 27.074x1.1659
0.2 4.5998
140 0.4 8.0838
120 0.5 12.6405
100 0.6 15.0919
80 0.7 15.8476
60 0.9 23.8898
40 1.1 30.452
20 1.2 33.6004
0
1.3 37.9423
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 1.5 46.0942
 Thank you!
Presented by: MARY ANGELINE O. NAPAY

BUCAF, Guinobatan, Albay