Pennsylvania Water Science Center and the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program are implementing new technologies for streamflow estimation at sites in Pennsylvania where conventional measurement techniques are inadequate.
Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) is an emerging technique to obtain measurements of surface velocity in streams and rivers. USGS scientists are applying LSPIV in Chartiers Creek in Carnegie, and Frankford Creek at Castor Avenue in Philadelphia, sites where the dynamic flow and channel conditions make conventional measurement difficult. Every 5 minutes, a 60-second downward-looking video of the moving water surface can be processed to estimate the velocity of water in the stream.
A camera system to measure water level and surface velocity is being tested at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown. This technology is part of the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System in the Delaware River Basin.
Lidar data processed to define the stream channel
The image below shows about 52 million points collected in July 2020 using laser techniques which define the Frankford Creek channel in three dimensions. With this high resolution survey data, collection of video of moving particles in the water from a bridge camera can be used to estimate the streamflow rate every minute.
Related science.
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
Delaware River Basin
- Overview
Pennsylvania Water Science Center and the Next Generation Water Observing Systems (NGWOS) Program are implementing new technologies for streamflow estimation at sites in Pennsylvania where conventional measurement techniques are inadequate.
Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV) is an emerging technique to obtain measurements of surface velocity in streams and rivers. USGS scientists are applying LSPIV in Chartiers Creek in Carnegie, and Frankford Creek at Castor Avenue in Philadelphia, sites where the dynamic flow and channel conditions make conventional measurement difficult. Every 5 minutes, a 60-second downward-looking video of the moving water surface can be processed to estimate the velocity of water in the stream.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Still images from videos of surface water flow overlaid with velocity vectors during low (top) and high (bottom) flow conditions in Frankford Creek, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Matthew Gyves, USGS)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Example camera system. (Photo by USGS staff)
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.LSPIV Camera, Chartiers Creek at Carnegie, Pennsylvania, installed on the gage house. (Lowell Abbadini, USGS) A camera system to measure water level and surface velocity is being tested at the East Branch Brandywine Creek below Downingtown. This technology is part of the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System in the Delaware River Basin.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Test installation of LSPIV electronics in gage house, Chartiers Creek, Pennsylvania (Lowell Abbadini, USGS). Lidar data processed to define the stream channel
The image below shows about 52 million points collected in July 2020 using laser techniques which define the Frankford Creek channel in three dimensions. With this high resolution survey data, collection of video of moving particles in the water from a bridge camera can be used to estimate the streamflow rate every minute.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Lidar scan and rectifying frame for Frankford Creek. Data were used to construct a 3-dimensional stream channel that was used with LSPIV to estimate streamflow. (John Young, USGS) - Science
Related science.
Next Generation Water Observing System: Delaware River Basin
The USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) provides high-fidelity, real-time data on water quantity and quality necessary to support modern water prediction and decision support systems for water emergencies and daily water operations. The Delaware River Basin was the first NGWOS basin, providing an opportunity to implement the program in a nationally important, complex interstate...Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS)
Substantial advances in water science, together with emerging breakthroughs in technical and computational capabilities, have led the USGS to develop a Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS). The USGS NGWOS will provide real-time data on water quantity and quality in more affordable and rapid ways than previously possible, and in more locations.Delaware River Basin
In Pennsylvania, the USGS's water-resources roots date back to the late 1800's, with the initiation of streamflow gaging on the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers and assessments of groundwater resources near Philadelphia. The USGS Pennsylvania Water Science Center continues to provide scientific information about the water resources of the Delaware River Basin, in cooperation with regional and local... - Publications