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Appendix D — SOP for Stream Flow Measurement — Hansen Project 15 <br />affected by the scoured depressions left by the hydrographer's feet. For such streams, the meter should be <br />placed ahead of and upstream from the hydrographer's feet. <br />Once the velocity -area measurements have all been taken, measure and record the gage height from the staff <br />gage to the nearest 0.02 foot again. <br />Steps to be Followed in Measuring Discharge. Water quality and bed material samples will be collected <br />prior to making discharge measurements. The following steps are to be followed in discharge measurement: <br />1. Use the staff gage to measure and record the gage height to the nearest 0.02 feet. <br />Measurement notes are recorded as indicated in Figure 3 at each subsection of the cross section as <br />the measurement is performed. After the measurement is completed, the data outlined in Figure 4 <br />are filled out. If two people are performing the measurement, the hydrographer may state the <br />stations, depths, counts, and number of seconds to a note keeper. The note keeper would then <br />repeat each value stated by the hydrographer to ensure agreement between the value stated by the <br />hydrographer and the value heard by the note keeper. <br />3. Record in the fieldbook the following: distance from initial point, width, depth, observation depth, <br />revolutions, time in seconds, velocity, area, discharge. <br />4. Note the distance in feet in terms of stream direction that this cross section rests from the <br />prescribed location. For example, the note may read "25 feet downstream" or "15 feet upstream." <br />This is recorded in a manner similar to that for the discharge measurement (Figure 3). <br />5. Several measurement locations are required from one side of the stream to the other. Select the <br />approximate number of subsections at which to take measurements as listed on Table 3. Position a <br />tape (for small streams) or the tagline (for large streams) about one foot above the surface of the <br />water. Secure the tape so that it remains taut and perpendicular to the channel. <br />6. Select a starting point at either the left bank (left edge of water, River Left, RL) or the right bank <br />(River Right, RR), which is determined by facing downstream. <br />Measure the width of the stream in feet. After selecting the Price AA or Pygmy meter, follow <br />Table 3 to select the number of subsections in which to measure velocity. The goal in selection of <br />measurement stations is to measure no more than 10 percent of the total discharge in any given <br />subsection. Subsections need not be identical in width. Use more observation points in deep areas <br />or portion of the channel having higher velocities. Frequently, fewer observation points are needed <br />near the shore than near the center of the stream. <br />8. After determining the distance desired between stations, measurement can begin. Record the time <br />and bank at which measurement starts on Figure 3 as "RR Start 0000 ", using river right (RR) or <br />river left (RL), depending upon whether starting at the right or the left edge of the water when <br />facing downstream. 24 -hour clock time is used, and is recorded to the nearest five minutes. <br />9. Note the distance to the beginning edge of water from the initial point. The initial point is an <br />arbitrary point on the tape, preferably a whole number, which lies on the shore of the stream. All <br />subsequent station locations are recorded as distances from the initial point. <br />10. Proceed to the first station. Record the distance from the initial point on the discharge note. <br />11. Stand downstream of the tagline or tape and face upstream. Begin with the current meter on the <br />wading rod well above the surface of the water. <br />12. Measure stream depth at the measurement point on the wading rod. Individual lines on the wading <br />rod indicate 0.10 -foot increments; double lines indicate 0.50 -foot increments, and triple lines <br />indicate 1.00 -foot increments. Record the stream depth to the nearest 0.02 feet: for example 0.32 <br />feet or 1.54 feet. <br />4153A.140129 Whetstone Associates <br />