How to Measure the Water Current of the Chambal River

1. Location of the Chambal River

The Chambal River is one of the most important tributaries of the Yamuna River in northern India. Originating from a place called Janapav Hills in Madhya Pradesh, the Chambal River flows through Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

The river covers various topographies such as ravines, semi - arid regions, and agricultural plains. It is a major source of water supplies for areas through which it passes. The Chambal River provides irrigation waters; the major crops which depend on irrigation waters in this area include wheat, mustard, and cotton. It covers various sanctuaries and national parks for wild-life along its banks. The river teems with various aquatic life, such as the endangered gharial-a type of crocodile- besides different species of turtles and fish. Grassy riverbanks are the habitats for a large number of birds and other wildlife.

2. Flow Rate Characteristics of the Chambal River

The flow rate in the Chambal River massively shows seasonal variations. The monsoon season falls between June and September for India, where heavy rainfall is seen in the catchment area of this river. The result of which brings a high increase in the flow rate of the river. During this time, it swells and is capable of carrying a volume of water in big amounts.

During the months other than that of the monsoon, the flow rate decreases. It has, however, always maintained a base flow-the minimum quantity of water necessary for the survival of aquatic life and to support the water-dependent activities like irrigation and maintenance of ecological balance of the associated wetlands. Its average flow rate, from a few hundred cubic meters per second during the dry season to several thousand cubic meters per second during the peak of the monsoon, can change.

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

Velocity Meter Method

The conventional method uses mechanical or electronic velocity meters. Velocity meters are installed at chosen locations in the river where one desires direct measurement of flow velocities at certain points in the river. In order to obtain a somewhat fuller representation of the prevailing water current, many measurements are needed at several depths and over several parts of the river. With the length and fluctuations of the topography in the Chambal River, this process would be cumbersome and time-consuming.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Method The ADCP presents a more enhanced and far handier solution toward the measurement of water currents. It relies on sound waves as a medium of detection of the movements of water particles. By generating acoustic signals and analyzing the Doppler shift in the reflected signals, it can simultaneously measure the velocity of water at multiple depths. This will provide a very accurate profile of the current and thus enable an appropriate analysis of the flow conditions within a river. The ADCPs may be installed on boats, bridges, or even deployed on buoys for continuous monitoring.

Buoy Method

The buoy approach is to place sensors in buoys down the river that can detect water flow around them. These buoys float on the surface and give some representation of the surface current, but they could not capture the complexity in the water current as true to the other methods, especially when it comes to the variation in velocity at different depths.

Out of them, acoustic doppler flow meter is more advanced and efficient in measuring the water current of the Chambal River.

4. How ADCPs Using the Doppler Principle Work

The principle behind the working of ADCPs is the Doppler effect. When an ADCP current meter ​sends an acoustic signal into the water, the acoustic waves so travels in the water and interact with the water particles, which are in motion. Due to the movement of the water particles, the reflected sound waves return with a different frequency-a result of the Doppler effect.

If the water particles are moving towards the ADCP current profiler, then the frequency of the reflected wave will be higher than that emitted. Conversely, if the particles are moving away from the ADCP flow meter, then the reflected wave frequency will be lower. By precisely measuring this change in frequency, the ADCP can calculate the velocity of the water particles at different depths.

These few velocity measurements are then summed by the ADCP profiler at different depths to form a complete profile of the water current. This, therefore, allows for a sophisticated understanding of how the water is flowing not only at the surface but rather throughout this vertical section of the river.

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

The measuring of the Chambal River currents requires certain features in the equipment for high-quality measurement.

The equipment should be highly reliable in material aspects. The equipment has to be strong enough to bear up the vagaries of the river environment: its continuous exposure to water and sediment and temperature fluctuations. The violent monsoon flood and the debris the Chambal River carries along during its high flow demand that the equipment is robust.

Other preferred criteria include small size, light weight, and low power consumption. A device of small size and lightweight is easier to handle and deploy both in water and 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.

It is an important factor in cost-effectiveness. The lower cost enables applicability to more widespread uses of the measurement equipment to be able to monitor more comprehensively the river.

The casing of acoustic doppler flow meter would be an excellent choice of Titanium alloy. It is very important that this titanium alloy withstands corrosion, as these machines face water bodies like that of the Chambal River, where every moment the equipment could be in contact with water and could also be in contact with corrosive substances. Besides this, it is strong and durable, able to withstand physical impacts and changes of pressure which may occur during deployment and operation. Added to this, the density of titanium alloy is relatively low, hence it will help keep the overall weight of the equipment as light as possible.

6. Selection of Appropriate Equipment for Current Measurement

There are a number of factors to be considered while selecting appropriate equipment for measurement of the current of the Chambal River.

Selection According to Purpose of Use

While measuring the horizontal cross-section of the current in the river, one should take a horizontal ADCP. HADCPs are basically devised for the purpose of precision in the measurement of water flow in the horizontal plane, facilitating the overall movement of water across any particular section of the river.

If one wants to measure the vertical cross-section of the river current, then a vertical ADCP should be used. Vertical ADCPs can measure the velocity of water at deeper depths with high accuracy and develop a detailed profile of how the water is flowing vertically inside the river.

Based on the Frequency

The frequency to be used will depend on the depth of water in Chambal River. For most of the areas with a depth of up to 70 meters, a 600 kHz ADCP may normally suffice. A 600 kHz frequency gives very good resolution and accuracy over relatively shallow waters for measurement of the water current.

The better choice for the above 70 meters, up to about 110 meters, will be the 300 kHz ADCP. With this lower frequency of 300 kHz, a stream can go deeper in the water and can still provide variable measurement of a water current.

There are well-known brands in the ADCP, including 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 Chambal 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.