St.

Paul University Surigao

St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

A. Background of the Study

Flood is an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits. It is also can be

refer to the inflow of the tide or the backflow of the river; which occurs at the location where

the rivers meet. From a geological perspective, floods are natural consequences of stream flow

in a continually changing environment. The streams receive most of their water input from

precipitation and the amount that falling in drainage basin varies from day to day. Based on

the role of precipitation, the amount and time which precipitation takes places is not constant

for any given area. Overall, the water cycle is a balanced system and the reason for the flood

to occur is a large amount of precipitation, causing the river/ basin to overflow due to not

efficient cross section of the river itself. As the amount of water is increase, the stream must

adjust its velocity and cross section in order to form a balance. The discharge increase as more

water is add through rainfall, tributary streams, or from the groundwater seeping into the

stream resulting in floods due to increase of width, depth and velocity of streams (DID, 2009).

Streamflow changes continually in response to weather and the modifying of effect of

the land. But the climate over a drainage basin follows a pattern throughout each year and

this results in a yearly cycle in streamflow. On this cycle are imposed the variations of

flow because of the particular weather in preceding days or months. Both the climate and

the land vary from stream to stream and thus the flows differ.
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St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines

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Hydrologists explain the movement of water on the earth by the hydrologic cycle,

an extremely generalized concept that begins with evaporation of moisture from the

oceans and transport of that moisture in cloud masses over land where it is precipitated.

The precipitation, if rain, may be disposed of by runoff on the land surface, infiltration

into the soil, and by evaporation. The infiltrated water may remain as soil moisture to be

later evaporated or transpired by plants, or some of it may move down to a water table

from which it may reappear as streamflow. Evaporation and transpiration take an

additional toll from streamflow before that water returns to the ocean. Obviously the

transformation of precipitation into streamflow in a particular basin is extremely

complicated because of the many variables of weather, geology, and topography.

Although the land phase of the hydrologic cycle is well understood, the input and the

many relevant land characteristic cannot be measured accurately enough to define

streamflow completely deterministically.

According to the barangay officials, the last flood event that happened was on

2014, where typhoon Yolanda affected Surigao City. During that event, the flood in

barangay Rizal caused disruption of services to the residents. The researchers, came up

with this study to investigate and analyze the water flow of the stream in Barangay Rizal

to determine its discharge on how fast the water can flow throughout the stream and

identify the latest happenings of how much the location has changed.
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St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the stream flow in Barangay Rizal. The study sought to

answer the following:

a.) What is the 20 ft. flow discharge, velocity and depth of the stream in Barangay

Rizal Surigao City?

b.) What are the differences of the water flow between time periods in the measured

discharge.

C. Hypothesis

1.

2.

D. Significance of the study

The findings of the study would be significant to the community and the

neighborhood that suffers from the rapid increase of flood. Specifically, this would bring

benefits to the following:

Department of Public Works and Highways. This stream flow study would be used as

their reference in the future flood control projects.

City Engineering’s office. This study would be used as an additional data for their

future projects.
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Local Government Unit. This study would be used to additional data and reference for

them to be aware.

Future researchers. This study would be used as a reference to develop their future

research.

E. Scope and Limitations of the Study

This research study only covers 20ft of a specific area in Brgy. Rizal Surigao City

The study is limited by the following parameters that includes the process of the flow

method and wading method through the use of improvised equipments. It focused on the

flow of water in a selected area in Brgy. Rizal Surigao City This study was conducted

during the second semester of the school year 2019 – 2020.

F. Review of Related Literature

Profile of the Stream location

The target area falls within the location of Barangay Rizal Surigao City. The

measurements required in the streamflow analysis study is based upon Volunteer

Monitoring Factsheet Series (2006) and the Study on Flood Control Project

Implementation System for Principal Rivers in the Philippines Hydrological Observation

Report (2004).

Measurements
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Determining Stream Flow (Area x Velocity = Flow)

According to the Volunteer Monitoring Factsheet Series (2006). The method used

in crucial stream flow is thought as a velocity-area approach. The goal is to spot the

amount of the water in a very 20-ft. (at least) section of stream by crucial each the

stream’s rate and therefore the space of the stream section. First, live the dimension of the

stream,Then by multiplying the typical depth by the dimension, it enables to verify the

typical cross-sectional space (ft2) of the stream. Water rate (ft/sec) is set just by activity

the quantity of seconds it takes a float to go the length of stream. Since water rate varies at

totally different depths, (surface water moves additional quickly than below ground water

as a result of water moving against rough bottom surfaces is over-involved by friction)

you'll got to multiply rate by a correction issue to regulate the measuring account for the

result of friction. The particular equation used to see flow is this: Flow=Area x Corrected

rate. This technique was developed and tailored from many sources.

Measuring and Calculating Stream Flow

Site Location

1. At the observation site, find a straight section of stream that is a minimum of twenty

feet long and incorporates a uniform dimension. The water ought to be a minimum of half

a dozen inches deep, and have some movement. Unimpeded runs or riffles area unit ideal

sites to decide on.

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2. Measure twenty feet on the length of your chosen stream section along with the

mensuration tape and mark each the up and downstream ends of the section with flagging.

Width and depth measurements

1. Working with a partner, measure stream dimension (wetted edge to wet edge) by

extending a measure tape across the stream at the midway purpose of your marked stream

phase. Record the dimension in feet on your recording type. (Tape measure graduated in

tenths of feet can build calculations easier.)

2. Secure the measuring tape to each shore in order that the tape is taut and on top of the

surface of the water. You would possibly decide to attach the tape or a length of string to 2

stakes secured on opposite banks to make a transect line across the stream if it's

impractical to secure the tape using shoreline vegetation.

3. Using your yardstick or pre-marked (in tenths of feet) D-frame net pole, measure the

water depth (ft) at one-foot intervals across the stream wherever you measured dimension

(and secured the measurement tape). Make certain to measure depth in tenths of feet, not

in inches (See conversion chart from inches to tenths of feet on data recording form).

Record depth measurements (ft) on the recording type.

Velocity measurement

1. Velocity is measured by tracking the time it takes a floating object to move the marked

20-foot length of stream. It requires to time the floating object (in seconds) a complete of

five times, Repeating the measurements across the stream, in each slower and faster areas,
 St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines

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can facilitate to ensure the closest approximation to the stream’s true velocity. This

successively can build the flow calculations additional correct.

2. Position the person who will release the float upstream from the upper flag.

Position the timekeeper on the stream bank (or out of the flow path) at the downstream

flag with the stopwatch. Position the one who can catch the float downstream from the

timekeeper (Note: Unless rate is incredibly quick, the timekeeper should be able to catch

the float with a net once they need finished temporal order its run down the stream).

3. The float-releaser will gently drop the float into the stream a few feet upstream from the

upper flag, and will alert the timekeeper to begin timing as the float passes the upstream

flag (the float ought to have time to urge up to hurry by the time it passes the higher flag

into the marked length of stream).

4. The timekeeper should stop the stopwatch as the float passes the downstream flag and

retrieve the float using the net.

5. Record the float time for the first trial on the recording form.

6. Repeat steps 7-9 for each of the remaining float time trials in different sections of the

stream.

Record the float time (seconds) for every trial on the recording type.

Calculating stream flow

1. To determine the average depth at the site; First, find the sum of your depth

measurements. Then divide the total of the depths by the amount of depth measurements
 St. Paul University Surigao
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(intervals) you created. Record the typical depth (ft) within the acceptable location on your

recording type.

2. Next, multiply your average depth by the stream dimension. This is the average cross-

sectional area (ft2) of the stream and records this in the appropriate box on your recording

form.

3. Determine the average float time by first determining the sum of float times measured.

Then divide the sum of the days by the amount of float time measurements taken.

Record this average float time (seconds) on your recording kind.

4. Divide the length of your stream section (e.g., twenty feet) by the typical float time

(seconds) to work out the typical surface rate at the location.

Record the typical surface rate (ft/sec) on your recording kind.

5. Verify the correction issue below that best describes the lowest of your stream and

multiply it by the typical rate activity to account for the results of friction with the stream

bottom on water velocity.

Record your corrected average surface rate on your recording kind.

a. Correction issue for rough, loose rocks, course gravel or weeds: 0.8

b. Correction issue for sleek mud, sand, or bedrock: 0.9

6. Multiply the typical cross-sectional space (ft2) by the corrected average surface rate

(ft/sec) to work out stream flow. Record stream flow (ft3/sec or cfs).
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Float method

In Irrigation reference manual (2008). The surface float method measures the time

required for a buoyant object to float along the surface of a stream over a given distance. If

the object is only partially submerged, and there is no wind, the object’s velocity should

equal the water velocity at the water surface. For the surface float method, a water-fillable

plastic fishing float (Tough Bubble) was used as the floating object and a floating fishing

line was strung through the float for easy retrieval. Weights were tied to a 1.26-meter

hiking pole that was placed along the bottom of the flume parallel to the direction of flow

and that served as a reference distance. A measurement was made by dropping the float at

the upstream end of the reference distance and using a stopwatch to record the time it took

for the float to travel to the downstream end of the reference distance. The surface velocity

was calculated by dividing the reference distance by the time of passage. The rate of flow

passing a point in a ditch or other open channel can be determined by multiplying the

cross sectional area of water by the average velocity of the water.

Normally, the cross sectional space will be determined by direct mensuration of the

channel dimensions.

The velocity will be calculable by temporal arrangement the passage of atiny low float

through a measured length of channel.

The procedure for estimating rate of flow by the float methodology is as follows:

1. choose a straight section of ditch with fairly uniform cross sections.

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The length of the section can depend upon this, but 30 meters usually will be adequate.

A shorter length may be satisfactory for slow flowing ditches.

2. build many measurements of depth and breadth at intervals the trial section to hit the

typical cross sectional space. The area should be expressed in terms of square meters.

3. Place a small float in the ditch about a meter upstream from the upper end of the trial

section. Determine the number of seconds it takes for the float to travel from the upper end

of the trial section to the lower end. Make several trials to get the average time of travel.

The best floats area unit tiny rounded objects that float submerged.

They are less apt to be affected by wind or to be slowed by striking the side of the

channel. Among small objects that make good floats are a long necked bottle partly filled

with water and capped, a rounded block of wood, or an orange.

4. Determine the velocity (or speed) of the float in units of meters per second by dividing

the length of the section (in meters) by the time (in seconds) required for the float to travel

that distance.

5. Determine the average velocity of the stream. Since the velocity of the float on the

surface of the water will be greater than the average velocity of the stream, the float

velocity must by multiplied by a correction coefficient to obtain a good estimate of the

true average stream velocity. The correction factor varies with the type of float used and

with the shape and uniformity of the channel.

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With floats that sink concerning two to five cm below the water surface, a coefficient of

about 0.80 should be used for most unlined farm ditches. A constant of zero.85 is

acceptable for sleek uniform unlined ditches. With floats that extend two thirds or more of

the water depth below the surface, the coefficient should be about 0.85 for unlined ditches

and 0.90 for lined ditches.

6. Compute the rate of flow. The rate of flow is obtained by multiplying the average cross

sectional area (item 2) by the average stream velocity (item 5). The accuracy of these

estimates of flow rates is dependent upon the preciseness with which average cross

sectional areas and float velocities have been determined and upon the selection of the

proper correction coefficient. The method is not accurate enough for conveyance loss

measurements.

Slope-Area Method

According to Stream discharge measurement (2009).This technique differs from

the Area–Velocity technique in this the mean rate V of the stream flow is decided

indirectly by hydraulic formulae instead of directly from floats, Pivot

tube, or current meter readings. Several formulae are used over the past century to

calculate V, all through empirical observation derived from observations of actual stream

(or channel) flow or simulations with models.

The original hydraulic formula by Antoine de Chezy gives the velocity of stream

flow as Chezy's formula V = C √RS = (3)

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Where:

V is the velocity of the stream flow (m/s)

C is a coefficient dependent on the "roughness" of the stream bed and derived from

empirical studies

R is the hydraulic radius (m) and is equal to the cross section area A divided by the wetted

surface perimeter p of the channel cross section,

R = A/p.

S is the slope of the water surface in the stream or channel, or of the energy gradient, or of

the channel bottom; these lines are regarded as parallel for steady, uniform flow. If a

section of channel is straight, the difference in height h Δ between two cross sections,

divided by the slope distance L between the two sections is the slope.

Chezy's original formula, developed from wooden models simulating flow in channels,

was "improved" by Darcy (1803-1858), Bazin (1829-1917), Ganguillet & Kutter (in a

paper in 1869) and Robert Manning (1816-1897). Information about these early hydraulic

engineers is given below and an interesting history of Water Engineers can be found at

Manning's formula, originally presented in the paper of "On the Flow of Water in Open

Channels and Pipes" written in Transactions of the establishment of Civil Engineers of

Eire, 1891 is presently generally adopted for the computation of rate of flow in channels

(or streams). Manning's formula is used for computation of flow in pipes that are not

flowing under pressure.

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Manning's formula V = k/n R2/3 S1/2 (4)

Where:

V is the velocity of the stream flow (m/s)

k is a factor depending upon the system of measurement units; k = 1 for SI

(Metric) units and k = 1.486 for English units.

n is a coefficient dependent on the "roughness" of the stream bed (or channel).

Tables of n to be used in Manning's formula are determined for various

channel/stream/pipe surfaces.

R is the hydraulic radius (m) and is equal to the cross section area A divided by the

wetted surface perimeter p of the channel cross section, R = A/P.

S is the slope of the water surface in the stream or channel, or of the energy

gradient, or of the channel bottom; these lines are regarded as parallel for steady, uniform

flow. If a section of channel is straight, the difference in height h Δ between two cross

sections, divided by the slope distance L between the two sections is the slope S = h/L.
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CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

Setting-Up the First and Second Observation Line

●The assistant team leader measures 20 ft. from the first observation point line up to the

second point along the bank of a straight section of the selected river

Releasing the Float

●After marking up all the observation point, the four rod man stands at each point. Then

release the float at the upstream site in 5 - 10 m distance before the starting point. Float

should travel a long patch with no turbulence or flow stagnation, no obstruction or

affected by wind.

● Using stopwatch, record the time it takes from the starting point and to reach the ending

point.
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● Repeat the measurement two or more times for an accurate measurement

● Calculate the velocity as distance traveled divided by the average time it took the float

to travel the distance.

● Record the reading depth of gauging station at the location of measurement to be used in

estimate stream flow.

Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers followed the procedures for achieving the statement of the

problem of the study. First, the researchers made an improvised surface float for it became

a tool for the measurement of the flow of water. Second, setting up the observation

parameter line of 20- meters in the specific location in kaskag kinabutan River with an

interval of 10 meters. After the researchers are done on preparing and following

procedures, the improvised float is launched to flow freely and observed using the

stopwatch to get the time of the launched improvised float.

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Flow Chart

Preparation of improvised float

Setting-Up the First and Second Observation Line

Releasing the Float

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Table 1. The calculations of the flow of the water in Barangay Rizal is analyzed using the

sample form from the study on Flood Control Project Implementation System for

Principal Rivers in the Philippines (Hydrological Observation Report 2004).

OBSERVATION FORM

River Name : Weather :

Location : Surrounding Observation :
Water Level : Date of Measurement :
Time Start :

CURRENT MEASUREMENT USING FLOAT

Trial of Float Weight Time of Total time Time end Total Float
(kg) lowering travelled distance current
travelled (m/s)
(m)
1

Average Current (m/s) =

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CHAPTER 3

Results and discussion

Flow test

Conclusion

Recommendations
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References

Electrical Reference

Ackers, JC (2010). Hydraulic analysis and design. FDG2 – Chapter 7 – Final. Retrieved
from:https://consult.environmentagency.gov.uk/engagement/bostonbarriertwao/results/app
endix-5---environment-agency--2010--hydraulic-analysis-and-design--practical-
application-of-hydraulic-modelling.-in-r.j.-crowder--fluvial-design-guide.pdf

Ahmed Z. et al., (2013). URBAN FLOODING – CASE STUDY OF HYDERABAD. Global

Institute For Research & Education, G.J. E.D.T., Vol. 2(4):63-66. Retrieved from:
https://www.longdom.org/articles/urban-flooding--case-study-of-hyderabad.pdf

JICA (2003). Manual on flood control planning. Project for the Enhancement of
Capabilities in Flood Control and Sabo Engineering of the DPWH. Retrieved from:
https://www.jica.go.jp/project/philippines/0600933/04/pdf/Manual_on_FC_Planning.pdf

The Study on Flood Control Project Implementation SystemFor Principal Rivers in the
Philippines Hydrological Observation Report (2004) Retrieved from:
http://open_jicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/11775665.pdf

Streamflow Water Action Volunteers (2006).Water Monitoring Factsheet Series.

Retrieved from:http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/pdf/level1/FactSeries-StreamFlow.pdf
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