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Abe71 Exer4 Labrep

This document describes an exercise to measure streamflow using various methods. The objectives were for students to experience measuring streamflow in Molawin creek using applicable volumetric, gravimetric, slope-area, velocity-area, and control-section methods. The class was divided into groups to perform streamflow measurements using current meter upstream and downstream, float method, and theodolite method. The results showed the different discharge measurements and errors obtained from each method, with some error sources being human error and equipment limitations.

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57 views4 pages

Abe71 Exer4 Labrep

This document describes an exercise to measure streamflow using various methods. The objectives were for students to experience measuring streamflow in Molawin creek using applicable volumetric, gravimetric, slope-area, velocity-area, and control-section methods. The class was divided into groups to perform streamflow measurements using current meter upstream and downstream, float method, and theodolite method. The results showed the different discharge measurements and errors obtained from each method, with some error sources being human error and equipment limitations.

Uploaded by

Jc Sulit
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Streamflow Measurement

Exercise No. 4

David, Dianna Rose N.


Diaz, Rianne May M.
Gumaru, Jherdie Christopher D.
Nequinto, Maria Jose Aubrey A.
San Jose, Jose Mari E.

A laboratory report submitted


in partial fulfillment of the requirements in

ABE 71 C-1L

March 16, 2016


I. INTRODUCTION
Streamflow, or channel runoff, is defined as the flow of water in streams, rivers,
and other channels, and is a major element of the water cycle. It is one component of
the runoff of water from the land to waterbodies, the other component being surface
runoff. Water flowing in channels comes from surface runoff from adjacent hillslopes,
from groundwater flow out of the ground, and from water discharged from pipes.
The discharge of water flowing in a stream, river or channel is can be measured
using stream gauges or can be estimated by the Manning equation.
Streamflow is always changing, from day to day and even minute to minute. Of
course, the main influence on streamflow is precipitation runoff in the watershed. There
are a variety of ways to measure the discharge of a stream or canal, some of those are:
volumetric method, gravimetric method, slope-area method, velocity-area method, and
control-section method.

II. OBJECTIVES
For this exercise, the students were expected to engage themselves in having a
hands on experience performing various ways to measure streamflow in the Molawin
creek river system. At the end of the exercise, the students must be able to know and
perform applicable volumetric method, gravimetric method, slope-area method, velocity-
area method (also known as float method) and control-section method (orifice).

III. METHODOLOGY
During the laboratory class, different methods of stream flow measurements were
done in obtaining stream flow velocities. The class were divided to their respective group
and did the first part of the exercise, Molawin Creek as the river system. Specifically, the
class did the actual streamflow measurement and performed 4 specific methods of
measuring stream flow: current meter method in upstream, current meter method in
downstream, float method and theodolite method.

IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


A. Discharge measurement using the laboratory flume.

Volumetric Method:

Gravimetric Method:

Time (s) Cumulative Weight (lb)


0 91
10.19 311
10.24 517
10.56 738

Float Method:
Flow distance: 120 cm
Time: 6.16 seconds
Correction factor: 0.85

Digital Current Meter Method:


Velocity reading: 0.14 m/s
Height of current meter: 0.13 m

Control Section:
Depth: 29 cm
Head: 10 cm
Diameter: 10 cm
Orifice constant: 0.61

Table 4.1. Discharge measurement using the laboratory flume.

% error
Method Discharge(L/s) (based on gravimetric
method)

Gravimetric
Volumetric
Float (correction factor
=0.85)
Digital Current Meter
Control Section: Orifice
(Coefficient =0.61)
The differences in the measurements show how some factors affect the data is
obtained from the exercise. Some sources of errors are human error such as recording
inaccuracies, faulty equipment and water disturbance.

IV. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION


One can use variety of methods in measuring streamflow such as volumetric method,
gravimetric method, slope-area method, velocity-area method, current meter method,
and control-section method. These methods yield different accuracies in the
measurement from one another as we observed on the data that was obtained during the
lab exercise. On the field, the practicality and efficiency of the methods should be
considered. For projects that need more accuracy, the orifice could be considered as well
as the gravimetric and the volumetric method. For practicality reason, the current meter
is well suited.

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