Experimental evidence on the performance of rating curves for continuous discharge estimation in complex flow situations

Zhengyang Cheng; Kyutae Lee; Dongsu Kim; Marian Muste; Pete Vidmar; Jim Hulme

doi:10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.021

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Experimental evidence on the performance of rating curves for continuous discharge estimation in complex flow situations

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Experimental evidence on the performance of rating curves for continuous discharge estimation in complex flow situations

Zhengyang Cheng, Kyutae Lee, Dongsu Kim, Marian Muste, Pete Vidmar and Jim Hulme

Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.568, pp.959-971

01/2019

DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.021

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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.021View

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Abstract

•Assessed the performance of rating curve methods at a non-ideal gauging station.•Stage-discharge rating curve method is more reliable for monitoring steady flows.•Index-velocity rating improves the accuracy of monitoring unsteady flows.•Event-based sampling protocols enable the capture of unsteady flow propagation.•Accounting for dynamic effects and flow features is required for improved accuracy. The paper presents various aspects of monitoring streamflows with stage-discharge (HQRC) and index-velocity (IVRC) based ratings at a non-ideal gaging station with emphasis on their reliance during fast-varying unsteady flows. For this purpose, the paper analyzes data obtained from customized experiments whereby the flow phases are tracked as they develop during flow transitions. The analysis compares discharges obtained from HQRC and IVRC ratings with those directly measured with Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) and a flowmeter set in the housing of the turbines that release the flow in the downstream channel. It is found that during steady flows, both HQRC and IVRC methods perform within the widely accepted ±5% thresholds recommended for streamflow gaging despite that the site considerably deviates from the guidelines for gaging site selection. For unsteady flows, the performance of the IVRC is considerably better than HQRC. Attempts are made to complement the typical statistical analysis used for assessing the quality of discharge estimates provided by the ratings with insights into flow characteristics that deteriorate the quality of the flow estimates passing through the stations.

Fast-varying unsteady flows

Horizontal Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers

Index-velocity method

Non-ideal gaging stations

Rating curves

Details

Title: Subtitle: Experimental evidence on the performance of rating curves for continuous discharge estimation in complex flow situations
Creators: Zhengyang Cheng - Hydrologic Research Center
Kyutae Lee - South Florida Water Management District
Dongsu Kim - Dankook University
Marian Muste - University of Iowa
Pete Vidmar - Idaho State Board of Education
Jim Hulme - Idaho State Board of Education
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of hydrology (Amsterdam), Vol.568, pp.959-971
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2018.11.021
ISSN: 0022-1694
eISSN: 1879-2707
Publisher: Elsevier B.V
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/501100008982, name: NSF; DOI: 10.13039/100000160, name: EAR; DOI: 10.13039/100011057, name: BCS
Language: English
Date published: 01/2019
Academic Unit: IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering; Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984459625002771

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