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Remotely Sensed Discharge

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By Colorado Water Science Center July 10, 2018

River discharge is an important component of the water cycle, and an accurate accounting of streamflow can be accomplished by monitoring the spatial and temporal variations in river discharge. The U.S. Geological Survey is actively pursuing remote-sensing platforms to compute river discharge using a combination of satellite-, high altitude-, drone-, and fixed-based platforms to directly measure river width, hydraulic grade, and velocity. QCam is a Doppler (velocity) radar, which is mounted on a 3DR™ Solo drone and measures the along-track river surface-water velocity by spot dwelling at prescribed heights over the river channel.

Field trials were conducted on the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers in Colorado and the Salcha and Tanana Rivers in Alaska.

These platforms coupled with efficient algorithms have the potential to revolutionize streamflow measurements.

 

UAS discharge measurement Tanana River Train Bridge AK
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Velocity radar mounted on drone as remote sensing platform to determine discharge on the Tanana River, AK.  Discharge measurements from drone were compared to ADCP measurement.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Measuring discharge with hydroacoustics instrument under ice

Under-Ice: Computing Real-time Discharge

Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Under-Ice: Computing Real-time Discharge

Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.
Learn More
link
UAS with velocity meter ready for take-off.

Radar on Drones

Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones can be used to monitor extreme flows in basins that (1) respond quickly to precipitation events, (2) are not gaged, (3) are located in terrain that restricts access and equipment deployments, and (4) are altered by events such as wildfires.
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Radar on Drones

Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones can be used to monitor extreme flows in basins that (1) respond quickly to precipitation events, (2) are not gaged, (3) are located in terrain that restricts access and equipment deployments, and (4) are altered by events such as wildfires.
Learn More

Radar-based field measurements of surface velocity and discharge from 10 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages for various locations in the United States, 2002-19

Near-field remote sensing methods were used to collect Doppler velocity and pulsed stage radar data at 10 conventional U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in river reaches with varying hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics. Basin sizes ranged from 381 to 66,200 square kilometers and included agricultural, desert, forest, mixed, and high-gradient mountain environments. During the siting and opera
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Drone- and ground-based measurements of velocity, depth, and discharge collected during 2017-18 at the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers in Colorado and the Salcha and Tanana Rivers in Alaska, USA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is actively investigating the use of innovative remote-sensing techniques to estimate surface velocity and discharge of rivers in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to install conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling discharge algorithms and sensors capable of measuring surface velocity, streamgage networks can be established in
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Water-surface elevations derived from submersible pressure transducers deployed along the Salcha River, AK, July -October 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey deployed seven submersible pressure transducers on the bottom of the Salcha River in July 2018. An additional transducer was left out of the water to correct for barometric pressure fluctuations. At the time of deployment, the bank position near each transducer and the water-surface elevation were measured with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The tra
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Water-surface elevations derived from submersible pressure transducers deployed along the Green River near Jensen, Utah, February-September, 2018

Twenty one submersible pressure transducers were deployed along the Green River near Jensen Utah in late February 2018. At some locations two transducers were deployed at different elevations to capture the expected range of water level fluctuations, an "upper" and "lower" transducer. Two additional transducers were left out of the water to correct for barometric pressure fluctuations. At the time
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Uncertainty in remote sensing of streams using noncontact radars

Accounting for freshwater resources and monitoring floods are vital functions for societies throughout the world. Remote-sensing methods offer great prospects to expand stream monitoring in developing countries and to smaller, headwater streams that are largely ungauged worldwide. This study evaluates the potential to estimate discharge using eight radar units that have been installed over streams
Authors
Mushfiqur Rahman Khan, Jonathan J Gourley, Jorge Duarte, Humberto Vergara, Daniel Wasielewski, Pierre-Alain Ayral, John Fulton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge

The U.S. Geological Survey is actively investigating remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) from satellite-, high altitude-, small, unmanned aircraft systems- (sUAS or drone), and permanent (fixed) deployments. This initiative is important in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to deploy conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling alternat
Authors
John W. Fulton, Isaac E. Anderson, C.-L. Chiu, Wolfram Sommer, Josip Adams, Tommaso Moramarco, David M. Bjerklie, Janice M. Fulford, Jeff L. Sloan, Heather Best, Jeffrey S. Conaway, Michelle J. Kang, Michael S. Kohn, Matthew J. Nicotra, Jeremy J. Pulli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) were measured using coherent, continuous wave Doppler and pulsed radars. Traditional streamgaging requires sensors be deployed in the water column; however, near-field remote sensing has the potential to transform streamgaging operations through non-contact methods in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies
Authors
John Fulton, Chris A. Mason, Jack R. Eggleston, Matthew J. Nicotra, C.-L. Chiu, Mark F. Henneberg, Heather Best, Jay Cederberg, Stephen R. Holnbeck, R. Russell Lotspeich, Christopher Laveau, Tommaso Moramarco, Mark E. Jones, Jonathan J Gourley, Danny Wasielewski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Remote sensing of river flow in Alaska—New technology to improve safety and expand coverage of USGS streamgaging

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level (water surface elevation relative to an arbitrary datum) and measures streamflow in Alaska rivers to compute and compile river flow records for use by water resource planners, engineers, and land managers to design infrastructure, manage floodplains, and protect life, property, and aquatic resources. Alaska has over 800,000 miles of rivers including
Authors
Jeff Conaway, John R. Eggleston, Carl J. Legleiter, John Jones, Paul J. Kinzel, John W. Fulton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

River discharge is an important component of the water cycle, and an accurate accounting of streamflow can be accomplished by monitoring the spatial and temporal variations in river discharge. The U.S. Geological Survey is actively pursuing remote-sensing platforms to compute river discharge using a combination of satellite-, high altitude-, drone-, and fixed-based platforms to directly measure river width, hydraulic grade, and velocity. QCam is a Doppler (velocity) radar, which is mounted on a 3DR™ Solo drone and measures the along-track river surface-water velocity by spot dwelling at prescribed heights over the river channel.

Field trials were conducted on the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers in Colorado and the Salcha and Tanana Rivers in Alaska.

These platforms coupled with efficient algorithms have the potential to revolutionize streamflow measurements.

 

UAS discharge measurement Tanana River Train Bridge AK
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Velocity radar mounted on drone as remote sensing platform to determine discharge on the Tanana River, AK.  Discharge measurements from drone were compared to ADCP measurement.

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Measuring discharge with hydroacoustics instrument under ice

Under-Ice: Computing Real-time Discharge

Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Under-Ice: Computing Real-time Discharge

Under-ice discharge is estimated using open-water reference hydrographs; however, the ratings for ice-affected sites are generally qualified as poor. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in collaboration with the Colorado Water Conservation Board, conducted a proof-of-concept to develop an alternative method for computing under-ice discharge using hydroacoustics and the Probability Concept.
Learn More
link
UAS with velocity meter ready for take-off.

Radar on Drones

Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones can be used to monitor extreme flows in basins that (1) respond quickly to precipitation events, (2) are not gaged, (3) are located in terrain that restricts access and equipment deployments, and (4) are altered by events such as wildfires.
By
Colorado Water Science Center
link

Radar on Drones

Small, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) or drones can be used to monitor extreme flows in basins that (1) respond quickly to precipitation events, (2) are not gaged, (3) are located in terrain that restricts access and equipment deployments, and (4) are altered by events such as wildfires.
Learn More

Radar-based field measurements of surface velocity and discharge from 10 U.S. Geological Survey streamgages for various locations in the United States, 2002-19

Near-field remote sensing methods were used to collect Doppler velocity and pulsed stage radar data at 10 conventional U.S. Geological Survey streamgages in river reaches with varying hydrologic and hydraulic characteristics. Basin sizes ranged from 381 to 66,200 square kilometers and included agricultural, desert, forest, mixed, and high-gradient mountain environments. During the siting and opera
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Drone- and ground-based measurements of velocity, depth, and discharge collected during 2017-18 at the Arkansas and South Platte Rivers in Colorado and the Salcha and Tanana Rivers in Alaska, USA

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is actively investigating the use of innovative remote-sensing techniques to estimate surface velocity and discharge of rivers in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to install conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling discharge algorithms and sensors capable of measuring surface velocity, streamgage networks can be established in
By
Colorado Water Science Center

Water-surface elevations derived from submersible pressure transducers deployed along the Salcha River, AK, July -October 2018

The U.S. Geological Survey deployed seven submersible pressure transducers on the bottom of the Salcha River in July 2018. An additional transducer was left out of the water to correct for barometric pressure fluctuations. At the time of deployment, the bank position near each transducer and the water-surface elevation were measured with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) equipment. The tra
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Water-surface elevations derived from submersible pressure transducers deployed along the Green River near Jensen, Utah, February-September, 2018

Twenty one submersible pressure transducers were deployed along the Green River near Jensen Utah in late February 2018. At some locations two transducers were deployed at different elevations to capture the expected range of water level fluctuations, an "upper" and "lower" transducer. Two additional transducers were left out of the water to correct for barometric pressure fluctuations. At the time
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

Uncertainty in remote sensing of streams using noncontact radars

Accounting for freshwater resources and monitoring floods are vital functions for societies throughout the world. Remote-sensing methods offer great prospects to expand stream monitoring in developing countries and to smaller, headwater streams that are largely ungauged worldwide. This study evaluates the potential to estimate discharge using eight radar units that have been installed over streams
Authors
Mushfiqur Rahman Khan, Jonathan J Gourley, Jorge Duarte, Humberto Vergara, Daniel Wasielewski, Pierre-Alain Ayral, John Fulton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center

QCam: sUAS-based doppler radar for measuring river discharge

The U.S. Geological Survey is actively investigating remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) from satellite-, high altitude-, small, unmanned aircraft systems- (sUAS or drone), and permanent (fixed) deployments. This initiative is important in ungaged basins and river reaches that lack the infrastructure to deploy conventional streamgaging equipment. By coupling alternat
Authors
John W. Fulton, Isaac E. Anderson, C.-L. Chiu, Wolfram Sommer, Josip Adams, Tommaso Moramarco, David M. Bjerklie, Janice M. Fulford, Jeff L. Sloan, Heather Best, Jeffrey S. Conaway, Michelle J. Kang, Michael S. Kohn, Matthew J. Nicotra, Jeremy J. Pulli
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge using radars and the probability concept at 10 USGS streamgages

Near-field remote sensing of surface velocity and river discharge (discharge) were measured using coherent, continuous wave Doppler and pulsed radars. Traditional streamgaging requires sensors be deployed in the water column; however, near-field remote sensing has the potential to transform streamgaging operations through non-contact methods in the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies
Authors
John Fulton, Chris A. Mason, Jack R. Eggleston, Matthew J. Nicotra, C.-L. Chiu, Mark F. Henneberg, Heather Best, Jay Cederberg, Stephen R. Holnbeck, R. Russell Lotspeich, Christopher Laveau, Tommaso Moramarco, Mark E. Jones, Jonathan J Gourley, Danny Wasielewski
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Colorado Water Science Center, National Innovation Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center

Remote sensing of river flow in Alaska—New technology to improve safety and expand coverage of USGS streamgaging

The U.S. Geological Survey monitors water level (water surface elevation relative to an arbitrary datum) and measures streamflow in Alaska rivers to compute and compile river flow records for use by water resource planners, engineers, and land managers to design infrastructure, manage floodplains, and protect life, property, and aquatic resources. Alaska has over 800,000 miles of rivers including
Authors
Jeff Conaway, John R. Eggleston, Carl J. Legleiter, John Jones, Paul J. Kinzel, John W. Fulton
By
Water Resources Mission Area, Alaska Science Center, Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center, Colorado Water Science Center, Pennsylvania Water Science Center
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