Hydrometry

Hydrometric data
scope
Types of hydrometric data
Validation of the observations
Reduction and processing
Production of information
• exceedence probabilities
• statutory requirements
• project requirements

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 Hydrometric data analysis
Types of data
Rainfall measurements
• daily gauges
• self-recording gauges

Water levels
• staff gauges
• self-recording devices

River flows
• Direct measurement
• Structures
• Rating curves
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 Precipitation
Main features
Intensity
• amount of rain falling in a given time
(mm/hr)
Duration
• period over which rain falls
Frequency
• occurrence with which a certain depth
of rain is likely to occur in a given time
Areal extent
• area over which a point measurement
can be held to apply
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Tipping-bucket raingauge

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 Precipitation
Issues to be aware of
Daily gauges may not be read every day
Data needs to be checked by Met Office
(several months)
Daily total applies at 9am for previous 24
hours
Beware of ‘dry’ days followed by large
total on a regular basis
Don’t be afraid to query data quality
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 Hydrometric data analysis
Sources of error and uncertainty
Change in collection equipment
Equipment calibration
Levelling errors, change in datum
Movement of gauge boards
Change in river cross-section shape
Human error (transcription, typing,
calculation)
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 Checking for Errors
Double mass analysis
A quality control check on long-term
data sets
Uses two independent sources of data
Plot cumulative volume from the data
sets
Use flow or rainfall
Look for changes to gradient
Might also pick up impact of
development on runoff
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 Checking for Errors
Typical Double Mass Curve

Change in gradient

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 Checking for Errors
Peak to Peak Correlation

Match up corresponding features of

hydrographs
Checks on travel times
Checks on inflow rates
For guidance only in flow
comparisons
Basis of simple flood warning systems
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 Rating Curves
Derive information from data
Relate river level or depth to discharge
Unique or looped curves
• storage and slope of flood wave
Allow data validation by checking latest
measurements against earlier ones
Care needed when there is a change of
hydraulic condition (e.g. out-of-bank
flow)
Allows for extrapolation above the
highest recorded flow
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 Rating Curves
Typical rating equations
General form of rating over a range of level
Q = A (h - b)c
Coefficient b represents a local datum
Coefficient c has some theoretical values for
structures and simple cross-sections
Log - Log fitting by eye or with software -
e.g. HYDROLOG, HYMOSS or HYDATA
Several equations, each for a range of level,
or change in channel shape through time
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 Rating Curves
Typical example:

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 Rating Curves
Adjustment for Looped Rating
Adjust observations for rising or
falling stage during measurement
Measured discharge exceeds “normal”
flow on rising flood stage
Discharge is less than normal flow on
falling flood stage
Biggest impacts for rapidly varying,
out-of-bank flows and wide flood
plains
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 Rating Curves
Adjustment for Looped Rating
Qnormal = F Qobs
F = {1 + [A (dh/dt)] / [1.3 Qobs s]}-0.5
Qobs - observed flow rate (m3/s)
dh/dt - rate of change in level (m/s) during
observation
s - water surface slope (m/m)
A - flow area (m2)
Assumes flood wave speed c ~ 1.3 Qobs / A

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 Rating Curves
Practical Difficulties
Extrapolation above the highest
gauging
Backwater from a downstream control
Bypass flow under flood conditions
Out of bank section geometry
Seasonal changes (growth and decay of
vegetation)
Morphological effects (mobile bed,
alluvial friction)
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 Rating Curves
No data for high flows

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 Rating Curves
Backwater Influence

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 Rating Curves
Backwater Length

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 Rating Curves
Seasonal Influence

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 Rating Curves
Fitting Methods

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 Rating Curves
Extension and Fitting Methods
Use multiple equations
Each has a defined range of stage
Identify physically significant
transitions
Break point at bankfull stage ?
Discontinuity at bankfull stage ?
Analyse out-of-bank flow separately?
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Rating Curve Extension
Out of bank fitting

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Rating Curve Example
R Culm at Wood Mill

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Rating Curve Example
Output from CES

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 Rating Curves
Velocity - Area Extrapolation Method

Plot velocity (V) with depth from data

Plot area (A) with depth from survey

Calculate discharge (Q) from extending

V and A to the required depth and use
Q=VA

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 Rating Curves
Velocity - Area Extrapolation Method
Figure 3: Binangun - measured velocities

1.5

V elocity (m /s)
1
level-0.6
Power (level-0.6)
0.5

0
Figure 4: Binangun - Area vs. water depth
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 y = 0.8571x 0.8752
R 2 = 0.8763
700 Depth (m)
600 Area (m2)
Poly. (Area (m2))
500
Area (m2)

400

300
200

100

0
0 5 10 15
-100
y = 2.535x 2 + 18.103x - 4.7289
Depth (m)
R 2 = 0.9997

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 Rating Curves
Simple Section Shape

Area A

R=A/P
P

Typical of a natural river section

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 Rating Curves
Slope-Area Extrapolation Method
Calculate section property M = AR p
p = 2/3 for Manning’s equation and p = 1/2
for Chezy equation (Steven’s method)
Plot F = Q / M (should be nearly constant)
Extrapolate M from survey and F from data
Q=FM
Assumes slope and roughness are constant,
and compound channels need special
treatment of geometry
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 Rating Curves
Alternative Extension Methods
Use a computational model
• 1-D model of the river reach (e.g. ISIS)
• 2-D model of the site (e.g. Telemac or
RMA2) to give detailed flow paths and
velocities over the flood plain
• 3-D model of non-standard structures or
Use a physical model
• one-off, site specific scale model

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 Rating Curve Example
2-D model of R. Severn at Montford

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 Uses of Hydrometric Data
Note this list is not exhaustive..
Catchment water resources planning
Flood forecasting
Flood discharge estimation
Flow frequency analysis
Model calibration
Design of river works and flood
defences
Regulation and consenting
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 Hydrometry

Questions/Discussion?