Flow measurement devices in agricultural watersheds

Abstract

Water quality research and monitoring works often involve nutrient flux measurements within agricultural watersheds. Flow rate measurements being essential for nutrient flux calculations, we propose an inventory and an analysis of flow measurement devices commonly used in hydrology. In the first part, we present the main techniques for flow measurements: use of weirs, use of stage-discharge curves and velocity-area methods in a calibrated section. An analysis of their use for different situations is given. Main stream gauging techniques are proposed as a reminder in the second part. Water velocity and elevation measurement devices commonly used are described in the following part. In conclusion, we recall the bases of data recording and the need for coherence between recording and measuring devices.