Laserfiche WebLink
<br />001687 <br /> <br />STREAM-GAGING STATIONS <br /> <br />Data on streamflow have been collected in Kansas since streamflow <br />measurements were first made in 1895. However, stations were <br />operated only sporadically until about 1920 when a more consistent <br />program was adopted. Beginning in 1940, the program was expanded <br />statewide and subsequently more stations were established, giving <br />a better streamflow definition throughout the state. <br /> <br />Gaging stations generally are installed at a river cross section <br />where the relation of stage to discharge will be as stable as <br />possible. For this reason, gages are usually located upstream <br />from a section control where the velocity will be increasing over <br />a rock outcrop or gravel bar, or in a reach with channel control <br />where the channel properties stabilize the stage-discharge relation. <br /> <br />All basic data in this report were collected in the field as a part <br />of current-meter measurements of discharge. The discharge is computed <br />from the equation: <br /> <br />Q = EWidivi <br />i <br /> <br />(1) <br /> <br />where Q is the discharge in the cross section, in cubic feet per <br />second; wi is the width of water surface at the subsection, in feet; <br />di is the depth of water at the subsection, in feet; and vi is the <br />mean velocity at the subsection, in feet per second. <br /> <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />Adequate velocity in depth are of prime importance in making a <br />discharge measurement. During periods of low flow, when measure- <br />ments are made by wading, there usually is a choice of the measuring <br />location. During periods of high flow, when wading is impossible, <br />current-meter measurements are made from a bridge or cableway, which <br />generally spans a nontypical cross section. Thus, the hydraulic- <br />geometry parameters used in this study ~ay not be completely <br />representative of the channel in the vicinity of the site. <br /> <br />For this report, the mean depth (d) in the cross section was <br />determined by dividing the measured cross-sectional area by the <br />total width, d = EWidj!Ewi' The mean velocity (v) in the cross <br />i i <br />section was determined by dividing the discharge by the cross-section <br />area, v = Q!Ewidi' <br />i <br /> <br />3 <br />