How to Measure the Water Current of the Belaya River?

1. Where is the Belaya River Located?

The Belaya River is a major stream in Russia. It is situated within the area of the Urals Mountains. The source of the river is in the southern Ural Mountains, and it generally flows in the north-western direction. Along its course, it goes through various types of landscapes, including mountainous terrains, forests, and plains.

It forms the backbone in regional water systems and provides water to various settlements, industries, and farmlands within the area. Different floral and fauna species grow on the riverbanks, while the water in it carries various fish species like pike, perch, and roach. In addition, wetlands and floodplains associated with this river serve as a colossal habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

2. Flow Rate Characteristics of the Belaya River

The Belaya River flow is subjected to seasonality. Snowmelt from the Ural Mountains increases its flow by as much as tenfold during spring. During this period, a number of snow and ice are melting and move along the stream, hence creating a relatively high FLOW period. This high-flow season is needed for recharging ground waters, for maintaining a river with a respectable volume of water, and for carrying sediments which fertilize the floodplains.

In the summer and fall, it has a lower flow rate due to the dissipation of snowmelt and changes in precipitation. The base flow remains and continues to be very important to maintain aquatic life and the communities relying on it. During winter, the rate may even be more reduced. Under extremely cold conditions, parts of the river may freeze over. The average might vary from a few hundred cubic meters per second during the low-flow periods up to several thousand cubic meters per second during the peak of the spring snowmelt.

3. Methods to Measure the Water Current of the Belaya River

Velocity Meter Method

This could traditionally be done by using mechanical or electronic velocity meters. Meters installed in the river would directly measure the velocity at that one point where the meter exists. But for the general description of water current, it is required to perform many measurements across the depth and along the width. Considering the length and changing conditions of the Belaya River, this approach may be labor-intensive and take considerable time.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Method: The ADCP current profiler is more advanced and efficient in the measurement of water current. It sends out sound waves into the water and processes the Doppler shift of the reflected signals. It can measure the velocity of water at a number of depths simultaneously and gives a very good profile of the current. These ADCPs can be mounted on boats and taken across the river to make the measurements. They can also be installed on bridges or deployed on buoys for continuous monitoring.

Buoy Method

It involves placing buoys in the river that are fitted with sensors for measuring the movement of water around them. These buoys float on the surface and may give some indication about the surface current. However, they may not capture the full complexity of the water current as accurately as the other methods, especially with regard to knowing the variation in the velocity at depth.

In the above techniques, ADCP current meter is more advanced and efficient for the measurement of Belaya River water current. The principle of ADCPs is based on Doppler. When an ADCP sends an acoustic signal into the water, the sound waves travel through the water and scatter via the moving particles of water. As the water particles are in motion, due to the Doppler effect, the reflected waves change in frequency.

If the water particles are moving towards the ADCP flow meter, the frequency of the reflected wave is higher than the emitted frequency. Conversely, if the water particles are moving away from the ADCP meter, the frequency of the reflected wave would be lower. Precise measurement of this change in frequency by the ADCP calculates the velocity of the water particles at different depths.

Those individual velocity measurements from the different depths then combine through the ADCP profiler to provide a complete profile of the water current. This then gives a very good insight into how the water is flowing, not only at the surface but right through the vertical section of the river.

5. Requirements for High - Quality Measurement of the Belaya River Currents

In this regard, for better and qualitative measurement of currents in the Belaya River, equipment within this process needs to be characterized.

The equipment should have high material reliability, be resistant to the impact of the sharp conditions of the river environment: wetting, sedimentation, and more significant or smaller temperature differences. If taking into consideration that sometimes the water level in the Belaya River changes within a month and carries debris during the high-flow period, it becomes obvious that the equipment should be durable.

Small size, lightweight, and low power consumption will be a plus. A compact, light device is easier to handle and deploy, whether on a boat or attached to a buoy. Low power consumption ensures that the equipment can operate for extended periods without the need for frequent battery replacements or access to a continuous power source.

Cost-effectiveness is an important factor. The lower the cost, the wider the utilization of the measurement equipment for wider monitoring of the river.

The casing of the ADCP will be made from a titanium alloy. The great resistance to corrosion is one of the major properties of the titanium alloy, which will be very essential in dealing with water bodies like that of the Belaya River, where the equipment will constantly be in contact with water and perhaps some corrosive substances. It is strong and durable, able to resist impacts and pressure changes which may occur during deployment and operation. Besides, it has relatively low density for the titanium alloy, which helps fulfill the goal of keeping the equipment lightweight.

6. Selection of Appropriate Equipment for Current Measurement

To select appropriate equipment for the measurement of the Belaya River current, several factors have to be considered.

According to the Intended Use

If the horizontal cross-section of the river current is to be measured, an HADCP shall be used. HADCPs are designed to accurately provide the measurement of water flow in the horizontal plane useful to describe the overall movement of water across a certain section of the river.

If the focus is to measure the vertical cross-section of the river current, a vertical ADCP should be selected. Vertical ADCPs can effectively measure the velocity of the water at different depths, providing a detailed profile of how the water flows vertically within the river.

Based on Frequency

Frequency selection depends on the water depth of the Belaya River. Usually, up to 70 meters of water depth, an ADCP frequency of 600 kHz can be a good choice. At 600 kHz, the resolution and measurement accuracy of the water current are good, most suited for relatively shallow waters.

In deeper waters, say above 70 meters to about 110 meters, a better option is the 300 kHz ADCP. At 300 kHz, this unit will have more depth penetration while it can still measure the water current well and accurately.

Some of the more known ADCP brands are Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for those seeking a cost - effective option with excellent quality, the China Sonar PandaADCP is worth considering. It is made of all - titanium alloy material, ensuring durability and reliability. With its remarkable cost - performance ratio, it provides a great alternative for measuring the water current of the Belaya River. You can find more information about it on its official website: https://china-sonar.com/.

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