How to measure the Shatt al-Arab River water current?

1. Where is Shatt al-Arab River?

This is the Shatt al-Arab River located in the southwestern part of the Asian continent. At the point where the two rivers, Tigris and Euphrates, meet and accompany these rivers, it discharges into the Persian Gulf. On either side, the river was bounded by deserts. The river provided drinking water for agriculture, industry, and fisheries in those arid regions.

Shatt al-Arab has strategic importance as well since it had been the battlefield since history and trade routes. All types of animals, from fishes to birds to mammals, are inhabitants of this river.

2. What does the flow rate of the Shatt al-Arab river seem like?

The flow rate of the Shatt al-Arab River is variable with seasons and the amount of rainfall. When it is raining, the Tigris and Euphrates add water inflow, which raises its flow. In the dry season, the flow rate could diminish.

The flow rate is also affected by factors that are connected with the presence of dams, irrigation projects, as well as alterations of land use. These might change the amount of water in the river and characteristics of its flow.

3. How to measure water current of Shatt al-Arab River?

The measurement of the current of the Shatt al-Arab River is necessary for determining the hydrology of the river, managing its flood control, and impact on the environment caused by it.

Traditional methods

One of the very traditional ways to measure currents in rivers is the use of current meters. These instruments are submerged in water and directly measure the velocity of flow. This method, however, has its drawbacks of being more cumbersome and time-consuming.

Another traditional technique is the method of float or dye tracing. A float or dye is discharged from a known point downstream and followed downstream to have an estimate of the current's velocity. The method, notwithstanding its inaccuracy and susceptibility to interference from wind, among other factors, has seen its application in quite a few instances.

Modern Technologies

In measuring river currents over the years, improved technologies have been developed. One of the technologies developed is that of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers better known as ADCP. This new technology offers a better and more efficient way of measuring the currents of water.

Why ADCP is a better choice?

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP) measure the velocity of water particles using the Doppler principle. Sound waves are emitted and the frequency shift in the reflected waves, which gives information on speed and direction, can be measured at different depths. This provides a greater insight into the current profile of the river.

Compared to the old processes, Aacoustic doppler flow meter have several advantages: they measure currents over an extensive area swiftly and accurately without requiring much manpower for its operation. ADCP current profiler can also provide continuous data, thus enabling real-time monitoring of river conditions.

3.1 How do ADCP using the Doppler principle work?

ADCP current meter work by sending a train of sound pulses out into the water. The pulses interact with the moving particles in the water by shifting the frequency of the reflected waves. This shift in the frequency can then be calculated through the pulse return data to calculate the velocity of the water particles.

The ADCP doppler usually consists of a transducer which will send and receive the sound waves, a data logger for storing the measurements, and software to analyze the data. The transducer can be mounted at the bottom of a boat, at the top of a bridge, or at a fixed structure in the river and could be oriented in multiple ways to measure the various dimensions of the currents.

3.2 What's needed for high-quality measurement of Shatt al-Arab river currents?

In order to perform high-accuracy measurements of the currents of the Shatt al-Arab River, several factors must be taken into consideration.

Material reliability

The casing of the ADCP flow meter ought to be made from a durable and corrosively-resistant material. The best choice is a titanium alloy due to its high strength combined with low weight, thus having an outstanding resistance to corrosion that is fit for the harsh river environment found in Shatt al-Arab.

Small size and light weight

The ADCP meter should be compact and lightweight to improve ease of transportation and deployment. This is especially essential in measurement of currents in remote areas of the river or on small boats.

Low power consumption

Low power consumption is one of the essential factors in monitoring river currents over long periods. ADCP profiler should be developed in such a way that they run on low power to avoid constant changes in the battery or searching for other available sources of power.

Cost-effectiveness

Another consideration is the cost of the measurement equipment. They should be reasonably priced to provide a good value for money. Only then will they be able to be used on a sufficiently large scale and thereby allow the coverage of more extensive monitoring of river currents.

3.3 How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

For the selection of the right equipment in measuring the currents of the Shatt al-Arab River, several factors need to be considered.

Purpose of measurement

Define the purpose of the measurement first. For instance, when one wants to measure the horizontal current across a section of the river, then a horizontal ADCP or HADCP should be used; it measures the current velocity in a horizontal plane. In such devices, one is able to understand the detailed flow patterns and velocities crossing along the river.

In case the measurement has to focus on the vertical current profile, a vertical ADCP will be more appropriate. This is because, through a vertical ADCP, the velocity of currents at different depths can be measured to enhance better understanding of the flow of the river concerning its vertical structure.

Choose the correct frequency

The other factor that determines the performance of ADCP is its frequency. High frequencies are desirable in shallow waters and result in more detailed resolution for high speed flowing currents. Low frequencies are ideal for deeper waters mainly for passing through other obstacles like sediments.

A 600 kHz ADCP will be appropriate for the Shatt al-Arab River of up to a depth of 70 meters, while a 300 kHz ADCP will be used for up to 110 meters.

Consider cost and quality

When ADCP instrument selection is concerned, it is also important to consider the cost and quality. There are so many ADCP brands, and one should opt for a reliable and one which is cost-effective.

Another recommendation is China Sonar PandaADCP, which manufactures all-titanium alloy material ADCP. The performances of the PandaADCP are excellent and are durable, yet budget-friendly. The website about PandaADCP can be found at https://china-sonar.com.

Measuring the water current of the Shatt al-Arab River is very important in understanding its hydrology as well as managing its resources. ADCP have a more advanced and convenient way of measuring river currents than traditional methods. Considering a list of such factors as material reliability, size, weight, power consumption, and cost, one may choose the ADCP that would render good-quality measurements of the Shatt al-Arab River's currents.

Here is a table with some well known ADCP instrument brands and models.