Testing non-contact discharge measurement methods in the Nooksack River
The Issue:
The North Cedarville streamgage on the Nooksack River (USGS 12210700) is critical for flood monitoring and hazard assessments. However, making discharge measurements at high flows, which are necessary to maintain an accurate stage-discharge relation at this dynamic site, is complicated by transport of woody debris and difficulties detecting the bed using traditional acoustic doppler measurement methods.
How USGS will help:
The USGS will assess the viability of a non-contact discharge measurement methods at this site, using a combination of ground-penetrating radar for depth and surface velocity radar. If successful, these tools will become part of the standard measurement toolkit for this site, with potential for use in other dynamic, wood-rich rivers in the region.
Problem
Accurate high-flow discharge measurements at the Nooksack River at North Cedarville, WA gage are critical for real-time flood monitoring, flood forecasting, long-term flood hazard management, and the safety and protection of life and property. However, a combination of turbulent flows, high sediment concentrations, and large volumes of woody debris make traditional discharge measurement methods on the Nooksack River difficult, dangerous, and subject to uncertainty at the high flows of interest. These challenges limit the ability to monitor and plan for flooding that can place life and property at risk.
Objectives
The objective of this work is to develop and assess non-contact or limited-contact methods for measuring discharge in the Nooksack River. These include estimating surface velocities via handheld radar units and estimating flow depth via ground-penetrating radar or single-beam echo sounders.
Relevance and Benefits
If successful, this work should lead to safer and more accurate high flow measurements and discharge estimates at a critical monitoring location with substantial local and international attention. These same methods could also be applied to and improve accuracy at other monitoring sites where woody debris and dynamic channel beds make high-flow discharge measurements and monitoring difficult.
Approach
This work will involve three major tasks: (1) acquisition and initial testing of alternate monitoring technologies, including handheld surface velocity radar units, ground-penetrating radar, and single-beam echo sounders; (2) making paired discharge measurements using both traditional and proposed techniques over a range of discharge conditions; and (3) assessments of those new methods and their accuracy to be presented in a USGS report.
The Issue:
The North Cedarville streamgage on the Nooksack River (USGS 12210700) is critical for flood monitoring and hazard assessments. However, making discharge measurements at high flows, which are necessary to maintain an accurate stage-discharge relation at this dynamic site, is complicated by transport of woody debris and difficulties detecting the bed using traditional acoustic doppler measurement methods.
How USGS will help:
The USGS will assess the viability of a non-contact discharge measurement methods at this site, using a combination of ground-penetrating radar for depth and surface velocity radar. If successful, these tools will become part of the standard measurement toolkit for this site, with potential for use in other dynamic, wood-rich rivers in the region.
Problem
Accurate high-flow discharge measurements at the Nooksack River at North Cedarville, WA gage are critical for real-time flood monitoring, flood forecasting, long-term flood hazard management, and the safety and protection of life and property. However, a combination of turbulent flows, high sediment concentrations, and large volumes of woody debris make traditional discharge measurement methods on the Nooksack River difficult, dangerous, and subject to uncertainty at the high flows of interest. These challenges limit the ability to monitor and plan for flooding that can place life and property at risk.
Objectives
The objective of this work is to develop and assess non-contact or limited-contact methods for measuring discharge in the Nooksack River. These include estimating surface velocities via handheld radar units and estimating flow depth via ground-penetrating radar or single-beam echo sounders.
Relevance and Benefits
If successful, this work should lead to safer and more accurate high flow measurements and discharge estimates at a critical monitoring location with substantial local and international attention. These same methods could also be applied to and improve accuracy at other monitoring sites where woody debris and dynamic channel beds make high-flow discharge measurements and monitoring difficult.
Approach
This work will involve three major tasks: (1) acquisition and initial testing of alternate monitoring technologies, including handheld surface velocity radar units, ground-penetrating radar, and single-beam echo sounders; (2) making paired discharge measurements using both traditional and proposed techniques over a range of discharge conditions; and (3) assessments of those new methods and their accuracy to be presented in a USGS report.