Quantitative cross-section field data recording - App entry

With the relevant in-field measurements of the creek (wetted width (ww); width - depth pairs; and either float, or meter derived, veolocity measurements):

1. Choose “Type Of Measurement” as “Quantitative”, highlighting this (rather than “Qualitative”) takes you to a different menu for data entry.   

2.  Enter the "Wetted Width (cm) if applicable” field wetted width (eg at the regular landmark site - "a bridge" or "big rock" or ww= 203cm.

3. Depending on the flow measurement being used, from the “Type Of Measurement” “Quantatitive”,  "Method of Measurement” choose "Flow meter",  "Stream Velocity Board" or "Flotation device at complex profile” to enter your field depth and width information to describe the creek's profile(cross-section) area.  In the "Creek profile measurements” form enter the depths and widths that determine the channel profile, follow the procedures below for a "saucer" shaped profile  or "saucepan" shaped profile.

Example creek a saucer shaped, saucepan shaped or "V" shaped creek bed cross-section, field data recording - App entry

The creek profile measured/used is dependant upon the type of stream being measured (and your available time!).  Ideally the measurement  methodology is driven by the shape of the streambed (or its cross-sectional profile).  WIth measurements capturing simple stream beds ( saucer-like in cross-sectional shape) or more complex streams (pan-like in cross-sectional shape, or even a pan/saucer shape with significant dents in the base).  

For a very simple creekbed profile a "V" shape, as an an approximation, can be entered (App option - "flotation through weir/V profile").  For creek channels that taper to zero at the edges (with a profle that is saucer-like, pan-like or dented pan-like) follow the "normal" creek profile App entry procedures (App option - "flow meter or flotation device at complex profile") as detailed below.  

Note - If the edge of the creek, at one or both of its banks, does not have zero depth (eg at a steeply eroded steep bank edge) use the saucepan shaped profile notes. 

Entering creek cross-section (wetted width, width & depth) data in the App - a "normal" creek (saucer shaped) profile

The wetted width, width and depth field data collected and entered into our App (and uploaded to our cloud database) are used to calculate a creek's streambed, a cross-section area (or profile).  With a cross-section (or profile) area, and with float (or velocity meter) recordings of velocity of flow across this profile, our software can then determine a semi-quantitative flow (or “discharge”) measurement.  

For the normal saucer shaped creek profile measurements and flow calculations field data entry is via the App option - "flow meter or flotation device at complex profile", we assume that:

1] the first width and depth (profile) point at a stream edge is 0cm , 0cm (distance from bank, and cm depth), entering this width and depth entry in the app is not normally required, nor is a velocity (if using a meter). 

2) widths and depths measured across the channel are entered as width - depth pairs, as an example - width point 1 (W1P1) from the bank 10cm, has a corresponding depth at this point (D1P1) depth of 28cm further across the channel a width point 2 (W2P2) has a corresponding depth (D2P2) of 22cm etc.  

3] the last profile point in the stream cross-section is the overall stream wetted width (see diagram below), in the example width (W3P3) =203cm, the depth (D3P3) entered should be 0cm. 

In the saucer profile with D1P1, W1P1 to D2P2, W2P2, velocities (VELA1, VELA2 etc) or distance and float time (velocity) measures can then be added.

Entering creek cross-section (wetted width, width & depth) data in the App - a "steepsided" creek (saucepan shaped) profile

In cases where there is no waterdepth taper at the creek edge and there is a near vertical edge at one or both stream banks, the creek profile is more a "saucepan", or "dented saucepan" than a "saucer" shaped profile (see sketches above).  

Using via the App option - "flow meter, velocity board, or flotation device at complex profile", and for our FWC App to work properly in these vertical bank situations, we:

1] enter some nominal, small horizontal distance slightly away from the actual bank edge and add the water depth at this (or these) point(s).  As an example in the above diagram the left-hand steep-sided edge - width point 1 (W1P1) = 0.5 cm, has a corresponding depth at this point (D1P1) depth (saucepan edge) = 28 cm.  

2] In the saucepan profile with D1P1, W1P1 to D2P2, W2P2, velocities (VELA1, VELA2 etc) or distance and float time (velocity) measures can then be added. 

3] If the vertical bank is located at the last wetted width - depth point in the profile measurement we need to include a final total wetted width and depth zero recording.  As an example in the above diagram the right-hand steep-sided edge - width point 4 (W4P4) = 203 cm, has a corresponding depth at this point (D4P4) depth (saucepan edge) = 0 cm.

An example velocity (float, velocity meter or stream velocity board) field data recording - App entry

Follow the procedures outlined in the "Field Notes" Flow Measurements to complete the flow measurement App data entry.

Culvert data entry

Please remember to capture the culvert diameter (usually a standard 60, 80, 100, 120cm) size in the App data recording.