Types of raingauges:

1). Non-recording Raingauge: The gauge which is read manually is called non-recording
gauge. It does not record rain itself, but simply collects. It consists of collector above funnel
leading into receiving vessel. The rainfall collected in the vessel is measured by a graduated
measuring cylinder to give depth of rainfall.

2). Recording gauge: The gauge which records the depth of rainfall automatically is called
recording gauge. Rainfall intensity, duration and depth can easily be obtained from recording
gauge. There are three types of recording gauge in general use.
a). Tipping bucket: Tipping bucket type gauge operates with a pair of buckets. When the
rainfall first fills one bucket, it tips and brings the other one in position. The flip-flop motion
of the tipping buckets is transmitted to the recording device (clock-driven drum chart) and
provides a measure of rainfall intensity. Alternatively, the tipping mechanism is used to
actuate electric circuit which records the number of tips during rain. Usually one tipping is
equal to 0.25mm of rain. The instrument is suitable for digital data.

b). Weighing bucket: In this gauge, rainfall is collected in bucket which rests on a weighing
scale with a spring mechanism. For recording the rainfall, mechanical lever arm of the
balance is connected with a pen which touches a clock mounted drum with a graph paper. The
record shows accumulation of rainfall over time.

c). Float type rain gauge: In this type, as the rain is collected in a float chamber, the float
moves up which makes a pen to move on a chart wrapped round a clock driven drum .When
the float chamber fills up, the water siphons out automatically through a siphon tube kept in
an interconnected siphon chamber. The clockwork revolves the drum once in 24 hours.The
clock mechanism needs rewinding once in a week when the chart wrapped round the drum is
also replaced.

d). Telemetering Raingauges: Telemetering gauges are of utmost use in gathering rainfall
data from mountainous and generally inaccessible places. These are recording type and
contain electronic units to transmit data on rainfall to a base station, both at regular intervals
and on interrogation. The tipping bucket type can be used for such purpose.
2). Radar Measurement of Rainfall: It is used to measure the aerial extent, location and
movement of rain storms. The amount of rainfall over large areas can be determined through
the radar with a good accuracy.

Design of Raingauge Network: The network density depends on the accuracy required. For
analyzing storms, fixing design floods, forcasting floods in a river, reservoir regulations etc.,
for all studies and investigations, a well distribution network of rain gauge stations with in the
catchment is essential. Following are the general guide lines of network stations required.
Area (km2)

No. of Rain gauge Stations

0 - 80

80 - 160

160 - 320

800 - 1200

Israel has maximum number of raingauges = 37 stations per 1000 km2 area and India has 1.7
stations per 1000 km2. General Requirement according to World Metrological Department
are:
Type of regions

Minimum area per

station under ideal
condition in Km2.

Area to be covered
under difficult condition
per station in Km2.

600 - 900

900-3000

100 - 250

250-1000

25

1500 - 10000

Flat regions of temperate

Mediterranean and tropical zones
Mountainous regions of temperate
Mediterranean and tropical zones
Small mountainous regions with
irregular precipitation
Arid and polar zones
Optimum number of Raingauge Stations:

Records from all the existing gauges of a basin help to fix the optimum number of stations.
The following statistical analysis helps to obtain optimum number of gauges for a basin on
the basis of an assigned percentage of error in estimating the basic mean rainfall.

N = Optimum number of raingauge stations

Cv = Coefficient of variation of the rainfall values at the existing stations (%).
Ep = allowable percentage of error in estimating the basic mean rainfall.