Name: Verra Myza C.

Arat Date: October 29, 2018

Instructor: Engr. Teresa Lumansoc Rating:
Subject: Hydrology
Laboratory
Measuring Stream Discharge using Float Method

I. Introduction

Stream flow or volumetric flow rate/discharge is defined as the volume rate of flow of water (including
any sediment or other solids that may be dissolved or mixed with it) (Buchanan and Somers, 1969). Hundreds
of thousands of stream flow measurements are done every year. They can be done on a wide array of water
body discharges, from still waters to floods. Since the flow velocity varies at different points in a stream cross
section, calculating the average velocity at many points within that cross section is highly recommended.
The Float method can be used to get a rough estimate of the runoff. With a floating object the surface
velocity of the river is measured.

II. Objectives
The objectives of this activity are the following:
 To measure the discharge and mean velocity of a stream through float method.
 To develop an understanding on the importance of measuring these values for practical applications.
 To apply the knowledge gained from this activity to explore related scientific topics.

III. Materials
 Measuring tape  Floating device
 Timer  Stadia rod
 Markers  Writing materials

IV. Procedures
1.) Choose a suitable straight reach (location) with minimum turbulence (at least 50 feet long).
2.) Mark the start and endpoint of the reach.
3.) Divide the reach into sections to measure the average depth and width.
4.) Gently release the float slightly upstream from the beginning of the section.
5.) Start the watch when the float crosses the upstream marker and stop the watch when it reaches the
downstream marker.
6.) Measure the amount of time it takes the float to travel the marked section. (Note: Travel time should exceed
20 seconds.)
7.) Repeat procedures 4 to 6 at least three times and record the time.
8.) Compute the discharge, cross-sectional area and mean velocity of the stream from the data and make a
conclusion.

V. SEGMENT WIDTH DEPTH

(m) (m)
Right Middle Left
A 4.88 0.15 0.62 0.35
B 5.03 0.13 0.65 0.72
C 5.49 0.14 0.65 0.54
D 5.49 0.16 0.59 0.23
E 5.36 0.13 0.45 0.42
F 5.59 0.16 0.45 0.34
G 5.79 0.20 0.59 0.48
H 5.79 0.17 0.42 0.35
I 5.87 0.12 0.42 0.38
J 5.82 0.18 0.36 0.28
K 6.02 0.18 0.36 0.21
L 5.97 0.17 0.34 0.44

Results and Discussion

In this activity, we divided the 60 feet-long reach into 15 sections with 4-feet interval every segments (shown in
Figure A) to measure the average width. Then, measured the average depth by dividing every width from each
quarter points into three. For this activity, the float traverse the 60-feet reach five times. The travel time for each
trial is recorded to obtain the average time. The following table below shows the data gathered:
 M 6.68 0.17 0.30 0.31
N 6.73 0.23 0.29 0.33
O 7.01 0.16 0.23 0.32
P 7.62 0.32 0.30 0.25

TRIAL TIME
1 00:00:41.42
2 00:00:39.42
3 00:00:43.14
4 00:01:34
5 00:00:39.22

These data resulted to an average depth and width of 5.25m and 5.95m, respectively. The resulted depth and
width is used to compute the cross-sectional area of 31.24m2 or 336.26ft2. The computed average time from the
data is 51.44 sec. The obtained stream discharge from these values is 148, 809.92 gallons/min using a correction
factor of 0.85.

60 ft
Left

Middle S T R E A M

Right

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P
f f f
f f f f f f t t t f f f f f f
t t t t t t = = = t t t t t t
Figure A. Float method set-up.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = =
VI. Computation

Average width
4.88m+5.03m+5.49m+5.49m+5.36m+5.59m+5.79m+5.79m+5.87m+5.82m+6.02m+5.97m+6.68m+6.73m+7.01m+7.62m
16

= 5.95m

Total Depth1 = 0.15𝑚 + 0.13𝑚 + 0.14𝑚 + 0.16𝑚 + 0.13𝑚 + 0.16𝑚 + 0.20𝑚 + 0.17𝑚 + 0.12𝑚 +
0.18𝑚 + 0.18𝑚 + 0.17𝑚 + 0.17𝑚 + 0.23𝑚 + 0.16𝑚 + 0.32𝑚
= 2.77m
Total Depth2 = 0.62𝑚 + 0.65𝑚 + 0.65𝑚 + 0.59𝑚 + 0.45𝑚 + 0.45𝑚 + 0.59𝑚 + 0.42𝑚 + 0.42𝑚 +
0.36𝑚 + 0.36𝑚 + 0.34𝑚 + 0.30𝑚 + 0.29𝑚 + 0.23𝑚 + 0.30𝑚
= 7.02m
Total Depth3 = 0.35𝑚 + 0.72𝑚 + 0.54𝑚 + 0.23𝑚 + 0.42𝑚 + 0.34𝑚 + 0.48𝑚 + 0.35𝑚 + 0.38𝑚 +
0.28𝑚 + 0.21𝑚 + 0.44𝑚 + 0.31𝑚 + 0.33𝑚 + 0.32𝑚 + 0.25𝑚
= 5.95m

𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ1 +𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ2 +𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ3

Average Depth = 3
2.77𝑚+7.02𝑚+5.95𝑚
= 3

= 5.25m

41.42𝑠+39.42𝑠+43.14𝑠+94𝑠+39.2𝑠
Average time = 5

= 51.44 sec
(Note: Assuming that the selected reach is in rectangular shape, so we will use the equation A=bh)
Area = (bAverage Width)(hAverage Depth) Velocity = Distance/Average time
= (5.95m)(5.25m) 60𝑓𝑡
= 51.55𝑠𝑒𝑐
= 31.24m2 or 336.26ft2
= 1.16 ft/sec

Discharge = (Area)(Velocity)(Correction factor)

= (336.26ft2)(1.16 ft/sec)(0.85)
𝑓𝑡 3 448.831 𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠/𝑚𝑖𝑛
= (331.55 𝑠𝑒𝑐 ) ( )
1𝑓𝑡 3 /𝑠𝑒𝑐

= 148, 809.92 gallons/min

IV. Documentation

Fig. 1. Measured width of a segment. Fig. 2 Measured depth of the right side part of a
single segment.

Fig. 3 Measured depth of the middle part of a Fig. 4 Measured depth of the left side part of a
single segment. single segment.
VI. Generalization
This laboratory activity provides knowledge on how to determine the stream discharge using float
method. Measuring stream discharge will be helpful in flood conditions in situations when such measurements
are particularly difficult to carry out and when data on discharges are particularly important. Hydrological
practice (especially in developing countries) shows that there is a significant lack of information on discharge in
flood periods, and we know from experience that even very complex methods and precise equipment very often
prove inadequate. Therefore it is important to know relatively simple measurement methods using standard
equipment which make it possible to shorten the period of metering duration and to make contact with the river
as brief as possible. The rising float technique entirely eliminates contact between the staff and the water, and
this seems to be one of the advantages governing its application in the future.