Table of Contents
Why is streamflow important?
Streamflow information is required to determine how much water is available in different locations so the citizens can make informed decisions about growth and to help assure there is an adequate water supply even during periods of drought.
How are stream discharge data collected?
Stream stage (or water level) and streamflow (or discharge) are measured at locations called streamflow gaging stations. Stage is measured and recorded continuously by electronic instruments.
How is streamflow measured?
Multiply the average depth of the stream by the width of the stream to find the area in ft2. Divide the distance traveled by the average travel time to find the velocity of the stream in ft/sec. Multiply the velocity of the stream by a correction factor. This is the corrected velocity of the stream.
Is streamflow the same as discharge?
Streamflow (also called discharge) is computed from measured water levels using a site-specific relation (called a stage-discharge rating curve) developed from onsite water level and streamflow measurements made by USGS…
Why do we monitor streamflow?
Why measure river flow (streamflow)? Measuring river flow and streamflow are important for several reasons: Monitor Flood conditions and generate alarms. Avoid low water levels, and manage drinking/irrigation water supplies.
Why do water managers measure streamflow?
What causes streamflow?
Streamflow is always changing Of course, the main influence on streamflow is precipitation runoff in the watershed. Rainfall causes rivers to rise, and a river can even rise if it only rains very far up in the watershed – remember that water that falls in a watershed will eventually drain by the outflow point.
What does USGS gage height mean?
Stream stage (also called stage or gage height) is the height of the water surface, in feet, above an established altitude where the stage is zero. The zero level is arbitrary, but is often close to the streambed.
How do you measure water discharge?
Measuring Discharge Discharge is the volume of water moving down a waterway per unit of time. It is most commonly expressed in cubic feet per seconds or gallons per day. To calculate discharge, multiply the area of water in a channel cross section by the average velocity of water in that cross section.
What is a river’s discharge?
‘River discharge’ is the volume of water flowing through a river channel; measured at any given point in cubic metres per second.