Contents

1 Modern Methods of Discharge Measurements......................................................................................... 2

1.1 Timed Gravimetric .............................................................................................................................. 2
1.2 Tracer-Dilution .................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Area-Velocity Method ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Manning’s Equation ............................................................................................................................ 4

Figure 1 TIMED GRAVIMETRIC METHOD ...................................................................................................... 2

Figure 2 TRACER DILLUTION METHOD .......................................................................................................... 3
Figure 3 AREA VELOCITY METHOD................................................................................................................ 3
Figure 4 MANNINGS EQ ................................................................................................................................ 4

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1 Modern Methods of Discharge Measurements

As man’s need to use and measure water has increased, a number of different and varied methods
have been developed to measure the flow of water in open channels. Open channels are those
natural and man-made structures through which water flows with a free surface.

Examples of such structures include streams, rivers, irrigation ditches, canals, partially full pipes,
and water conveyance flumes.

Some of the more common methods currently in use to measure open channel flows are:

 Timed Gravimetric
 Tracer-Dilution
 Area-Velocity
 Manning’s Equation

1.1 Timed Gravimetric

The complete flow stream is collected a container for a fixed length of time. The contents of the
container are then weighed to determine the volume of water. This in turn allow for the direct
calculation of the flow rate for the period observed.

Figure 1 TIMED GRAVIMETRIC METHOD

The timed gravimetric flow method is only practical for small streams (25 to 30 gallons or less)
and only provides a “snap-shot” of the flow rates. It is not well suited to continuous flow
measurement. The timed gravimetric flow method is also sometimes refered to as the "bucket and
stopwatch" method.

1.2 Tracer-Dilution
The tracer-dilution method consists of adding a known amount of concentrated tracer at a constant
rate to the flow stream. Chemical analysis is used to determine the dilution of the uniformly mixed
concentrate at some downstream point. It is important that the tracer be added at a known and
constant discharge rate.

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An advantage of the tracer-dilution method is that no measurements of the flow channel geometry
are required.

Tracers may be color-dilution or salt-dilution, with the former suitable for measuring small to large
flows (the cost of the dye being relatively low) and the latter suitable for turbulent streams of small
to medium size where other methods of flow measurement are impractical.

Figure 2 TRACER DILLUTION METHOD

The tracer-dilution method requires specialized equipment and experienced personnel. As a result,
it is relatively expensive method of measuring flow rates.

Tracer-dilution methods can vary considerably in accuracy, from +/- 1% to over 30%, depending
upon the equipment used, experience of the personnel, and the accuracy of the measuring
equipment.

1.3 Area-Velocity Method

Measurement of the mean flow velocity (commonly by doppler or electromagnetic field) over a
determined cross-sectional area (the depth of which is determined by pressure transducer or
ultrasonic sensor) yields the stream flow rate.

Figure 3 AREA VELOCITY METHOD

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Recent tests performed by the Bureau of Reclamation found that even in a controlled, laboratory
environment, measurement error of +/-10% are possible. Under field conditions, this error can
reasonably be assumed to greater than those observed in laboratory conditions.

1.4 Manning’s Equation

Manning’s Equation, as it is commonly referred to in the United States, is an empirically derived
formula for estimating the average velocity of a liquid flowing in an open channel. The formula
utilizes the cross-sectional average velocity, hydraulic radius, roughness coefficient, and the slope
of the channel.
The equation is used to measure flow in locations where the construction of a hydraulic structure
(flume or weir) is impractical.

Figure 4 MANNINGS EQ

Much of the difficulty in using the equation is determining the proper Gauckley-Manning
coefficient, n, to apply. In natural channels, n values can vary greatly along a given stretch. As a
result, Manning’s Equation should not be expected to provide results better than +/- 25-30% under
field conditions.

In the United States, this method is most commonly referred to as Manning’s Equation, while in
Europe it is more often referred to as the Gauckler-Manning-Strickler Formula.

Manning’s Equation can be used for continuous flow measurement through the use of portable or
permanent flow meters or it can be used for spot flow measurements.