Water New Zealand Web Forum

[Ludo]

Hello all,
I would like to calibrate my hydrological models around Rotorua on stormwater. I would like to start a campaign of flow monitoring and doing that in house if possible. The monitoring will be achieved on culverts, open drains, and pipe networks.
I thought buying a device able to measure the depth and the average velocity. The device have to be designed to monitor all the different environments that I precited. There are many of them in the market with ultrasonic sensors and data logger attached. Do I need to calibrate on each site the flow monitor? If yes how can I calibrate the device? Basically is it realist to do it myself because it is quite a specific job and need training?
I would much appreciate if someone can share his or her experience in this field.
Cheers.
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Ludovic Sprauer
ludovic.sprauer@rdc.govt.nz

[Martin Ellis]

I would suspect that open channel would need carefull calibration due to the possible un-uniformity of cross sectional area. Also because it is an exposed conduit it has variations in the friction due to seasonal growth and periods when maintenance is undertaken.

I suspect that a water model would be a more efficient tool toa nswer some of those questions for open channels.

Culverts and pipe network are easier and have been covered by empiracal science already.

The dry mains are trikier as some measuring devices need a minimum flow. And the huge variation between dry and full flow can be difficult to maintain accuracy with.
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An over abundance of optimism without tangible results depresses me ... so stop smiling .. and stop pushing me.