Comparison of Current Meters Used for Stream Gaging

by Janice M. Fulford, U.S. Geological Survey, Stennis Space Center, United States,
Kirk G. Thibodeaux, U.S. Geological Survey, Stennis Space Center, United States,
William R. Kaehrle, U.S. Geological Survey, Stennis Space Center, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Fundamentals and Advancements in Hydraulic Measurements and Experimentation

Abstract:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is field and laboratory testing the performance of several current meters used throughout the world for stream gaging. Meters tested include horizontal-axis current meters from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the People's Republic of China, and vertical-axis and electromagnetic current meters from the United States. Summarized are laboratory test results for meter repeatability, linearity, and response to oblique flow angles and preliminary field testing results. All current meters tested were found to under- and over-register velocities; errors usually increased as the velocity and angle of the flow increased. Repeatability and linearity of all meters tested were good. In the field tests, horizontal-axis meters, except for the two meters from the People's Republic of China, registered higher velocity than did the vertical-axis meters.

Subject Headings: Flow measurement | Field tests | Laboratory tests | Fluid velocity | Stream gauge | Linear functions | Streamflow | Europe | China | Asia | Germany | United Kingdom | United States

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