1

2014
Juan Villa

4/25/2014
Open Channel Flow Measurement: Stream Profiles and the U.S. Geological Survey
Flow Gaging Procedure
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Introduction

Background Information: The U.S. Geological Survey collects, monitors, analyzes, and
provides scientific understanding about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. The
diversity of our scientific expertise enables us to carry out large-scale, multi-disciplinary
investigations and provide impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and
other customers. (USGS, 2014). The United States Geological Survey provides the standards for steam
gagning flow measurements to be done in any river of water system in the unites states. As a hydraulic
engineer, measuring the flow of an open channel is a fundamental skill to have regardless of the
level of expertise on the field and the United States Geological Survey provides such standard
for

Purpose: The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and
understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water,
biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. (USGS, 2014).
The main purpose of this experiment, standararized by the United States Geological Survey is to
measure the flow of an open channel in a stream system, channel flow measurement in a stream
system following the United States Geological Survey procedure. An additional purpose is to get
an educational experience from learning the operations of a United States Geological Survey
flow gaging station & an electromagnetic flow meter.

Hypothesis: The student expects to measure the open channel flow of the Chipuxet River successfully.
Additionally, the student hopes that the values collected reflect a positive outcome when compared to the
values provided by the United States Geological Survey.


Materials and Methods

Materials:. Probe, USGS measuring device, water suit, Chipuxet River & the participation of
three students.
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Methods: Using the flow meter, the velocity of the Chipuxet River at three different depths
for thirteen individual subareas was measured by the student. The student collected the data
from the three different specified depths of 0.2m 0.8m & 0.6m below the water surface. The
student insterted the probe into every specified sub-area and the depth was recorded, being able
to read the velocity for that specific depth. The velocity had to be recorded for the three different
depths of 0.8m, 0.6m and 0.2m. Finally, the stage reading was recorded from the USGS
measuring device and the associated flow rate was found for the Chipuxet River rating chart. The
links were provided by the teacher assistant in order to find the wanted information for the Chipu
xet river.


Results

The following figures and tables represent data for this experiment. The collected data that was
provided by the teacher assistant to the students and utilized for by the student for this
experiment.

Table 1: Collected data for the Chipuxet River.
B C D E F G H I J K L M N
Distance
from
LEW
Change
in
Distance
from
LEW
Depth Velocity (ft/sec)
2 Point
Method
-
Average
Velocity
Sub-
section
Area
Flow
With 2
Point
Method
Flow
With 1
Point
Method
Drainage Area Discharge Velocity
(ft) (ft) (ft) 1
(ft)
1.5
(ft)
2
(ft)
(ft/sec) (ft
2
) (ft
3
/sec) (ft
3
/sec) (ft2) (ft
3
/sec) (ft/sec)
A B C
0.5 0.5 3.1 1.8 1.97 2.03 1.885 1.55 2.92175 2.79 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
1.5 1 3 2.01 2.03 2.09 2.02 3 6.06 6.03 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
3.5 2 2.9 1.7 1.97 2.13 1.835 5.8 10.643 9.86 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
4 0.5 3.5 1.81 2.16 2.2 1.985 1.75 3.47375 3.1675 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
5 1 3.7 1.85 1.77 2.05 1.81 3.7 6.697 6.845 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
4


8 3 3.6 1.33 1.55 1.78 1.44 10.8 15.552 14.364 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
9.5 1.5 2.9 1.4 1.45 1.48 1.425 4.35 6.19875 6.09 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
10.5 1 3 1 1.37 1.45 1.185 3 3.555 3 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
11.5 1 2.9 1.29 1.5 1.45 1.395 2.9 4.0455 3.741 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07
13.5 2 3 1.33 1.52 1.42 1.425 6 8.55 7.98 267,353,856 70 2.61825E-
07



Figure 3: Demonstration of the different velocities at the three different depths of 0.2m, 0.6m,
and 0.8m.



0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
V
e
l
o
c
i
t
y

(
f
t
/
s
)

Velocities at Different Depths
Velocity (ft/sec) 1
(ft) A
Velocity (ft/sec) 1.5
(ft) B
Velocity (ft/sec) 2
(ft) C
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Figure 4: Plot of the calculated flow using two different methods: the 2 point method and the 1
point method.








0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Flow With 2 Point
Method (ft3/sec)
Flow With 1 Point
Method (ft3/sec)
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16
D
i
s
t
a
n
c
e

(
f
t
)

Velocity (ft/s)
Distance from
the left edge vs. Velocity Profile
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Figure 1: Discharge, cubic feet per second, Chipuxet River, West Kingston, RI (United States Geological
Survey, 2014).
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Figure 2: Gage height, feet, Chipuxet River, West Kingston, RI (United States Geological Survey, 2014).



The data recorded from each group were used to determine any similarities and differences of
each point. Furthermore, relationships of each point were discussed accordingly to the affect it
had in the location and the parameters recorded within.


Discussion


The data that was collected matched well with the data known by the usgs. one reason why the
values werent as close as expect is because the experiments conducted by the usgs are done by
experienced users.eanwhile the experiment done by the class are conducted by students who don't
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have as much experience as real life hydraulic engineers from the usgs.


ICE EFFECTS ON STREAMFLOW During winter, ice formation in streams
can cause stage and corresponding discharge values to appear higher than
expected during periods of no precipitation. Ice effects from partial ice cover
or shore ice may be minor, where stage and discharge appear to increase at
night and decrease to base-line conditions around midday for one or more
days. Major ice effects from complete ice cover appear as constantly
increasing stage and discharge over several days during prolonged cold
periods. Stage and discharge values for streams experiencing minor ice
effects will continue to be displayed on the web to enable the user to
estimate the approximate base-line discharges. Note that this method of
estimation should only be used when no runoff occurs. During periods of
major ice effects, display of discharge data on the web will be temporarily
discontinued to prevent misuse of erroneous discharge data. The discharge
record will resume when it is determined that ice conditions are no longer
present. Display of stage data during periods of minor and major ice effects
will continue to be displayed on the web. Daily mean discharges will be
estimated for all periods of ice-effected discharges.


nmhm




Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe
and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water,
biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life. (USGS, 2014).
The main purpose of this experiment was meant. the student was able to measure the flow of an
open channel in a stream system standararized by the United States Geological Survey , An
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additional purpose was also met, which was to get an educational experience from learning the
operations of a United States Geological Survey flow gaging station & an electromagnetic flow
meter. The USGS is a science organization that provides impartial information on the health of our
ecosystems and environment, the natural hazards that threaten us, the natural resources we rely on, the
impacts of climate and land-use change, and the core science systems that help us provide timely,
relevant, and useable information. (USGS, 2014). this experiment not only showed the
understanding and interpreting portions, but also demonstrated how the water environment
works depending on the location,



References

Google. "Google Maps: 30 Acre Pond, Kingston, RI, 02881." Google Maps. N.p., 2014. Web. 18
Apr. 2014. <https://www.google.com/maps/%4041.4912635%2C-
71.545991%2C591m/data%3D%213m1%211e3%215m1%211e4>.