Indirect Determination

- make use of the relationship between the flow discharge and the water surface slope and
depth at specified locations

Estimation of Discharge by SLOPE-AREA METHOD

- is an approximate and indirect method of discharge estimation which is used when

measurement by more accurate methods, such as the velocity-area method, is not possible
- discharge is estimated by observing the water surface slope and cross-section area
- accuracy is less compared to the velocity-area methods
- necessary when
o magnitude of flows is so high and flow conditions are such that the other methods
of discharge estimation cannot be used
o non-availability of equipment required for making current meter measurements
o inaccessibility of the site due to floods
o presence of debris and floating matter in the flood flow preventing the use of
current meter
o In flashy streams, high floods may pass without being measured due to their short
duration. If the magnitude of such floods is to be assessed after their occurrence,
slope area method can be used
- Discharge values estimated by slope-area method should not be used to establish rating
curves

* Mean Velocity is computed using “open channel flow formula” such as Manning’s formula

MEASUREMENT REACH

- Should know:
1. Cross-sectional geometry and properties at its ends
2. value of Manning's roughness coefficient n
3. water-surface elevations at the end sections

>>NOTES:

 The river reach should be straight (to the extent possible) having stable bed and banks and
uniform cross-section over a length of at least five times the width of the channel
 In any case, the length should not be less than about 300m
 As far as possible, the river reach should be long enough so that the difference between water
levels at the upstream and downstream gauges is not less than ten times the uncertainty in the
difference
 The flow in the reach should be free from significant disturbances, draw-down or back-water
effect of any structure or tributary joining upstream or downstream and it should be contained
within its banks for all stages at which this method is used. If no uniform reach is available, the
 reach should preferably be converging rather than diverging. The measurement site should be
easily accessible at all times.


MOVING BOAT METHOD

- Velocity-area method
- Very useful on very large and wide streams, instead of the conventional methods (costly and
tedious)
- Can be used at sites where unsteady flow conditions require rapid completion of
measurement.