How to Measure the Water Current of the Seversky Donets River

1. Where is the Seversky Donets River?

The Seversky Donets River flows from the Central Russian Upland, passing through Russia and Ukraine, and is a major waterway in Eastern Europe.

While meandering through the landscape, it passes through most terrains: from the relatively hilly regions of its beginning to the vast plains and farmlands. The river forms part of the rural and urban structures in regions where it passes. Most towns and cities, such as Izium in Ukraine, depend on the Seversky Donets River for water supply and other important services.

The importance of this river to the local ecosystem cannot be underestimated. It hosts a plethora of aquatic life. Several fish species, such as pike, perch, and roach, find their natural home in it. Its banks host different types of waterbirds, such as herons and ducks. The floodplains and wetlands associated with the river play a crucial role in the ecological balance of the area. They provide a venue for breeding for many species and contribute to filtering and cleaning the water.

Besides its ecological role, the Seversky Donets River has played an important historical-cultural role. It has been part of the transportation network, serving centuries of movement for goods and people.

2. What does the flow rate of the Seversky Donets River consist of?

The flow rate in the Seversky Donets River varies seasonally and climatically. During spring, when snow melts from places within the catchment, especially the Russian Upland, the river's flow increases tenfold. The melting snow and ice send a large volume of water downstream, leading to a relatively high-flow period.

The flow rate is much lower during summer and fall as the snowmelt influence diminishes and precipitation patterns vary. Base flow in the river remains, however, which is crucial in regard to sustaining aquatic life and promoting the economic and social needs of the communities within the area. During winter, the flow rate is reduced even further, and in extreme cold conditions, parts of the river may freeze over. The average can range from a few hundred cubic meters per second during the low-flow periods to several thousand cubic meters per second during the peak of the spring snowmelt.

Navigation also depends on the flow of the river: during the high-flow period, larger ships may travel more easily than during the low-flow period, when it is possible to use only shallow-draft boats; in some places, navigation might be restricted.

3. How to measure water current of the Seversky Donets River?

Velocity Meter Method

It is a conventional method that relies on the support of mechanical or electronic velocity meters. These devices are installed at a point in the river to directly measure the rate at which water is flowing at that particular point in the river. In order to obtain an overall function of the total current of the water, several measurements are recorded across all the depths and various sections of the river. Given the length and variable conditions of the Seversky Donets River, this may be labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) Method

A more advanced and convenient way of measuring water currents is provided by means of an ADCP profiler. It uses sound waves to detect the movement of water particles. It can measure the velocity of water at more than one depth simultaneously by emitting acoustic signals and analyzing the Doppler shift of the reflected signals. This provides a very good profile of water current, thus enabling a more realistic assessment of the flow conditions along and throughout the river. These ADCPs may be mounted on boats or bridges; they can even be deployed on buoys for continuous monitoring.

Buoy Method

The buoy method involves the placing of buoys in the river equipped with sensors that measure the movement of the surrounding water. The buoys are floating on the surface, permitting a partial determination of the surface current, while they may not capture in great detail the complexity of the water current with which they surround themselves, especially where there is variation in velocity at various depth points.

Among the described methods, the ADCP flow meter is more advanced and effective for measurement of the water current of the Seversky Donets River.

4. How do Doppler principle ADCPs work?

ADCPs work according to the Doppler principle. When an ADCP current profiler sends out its acoustic signal into the water, the acoustic waves travel through the water and reflect off moving water particles. The frequency of the reflected sound waves changes with the motion of the water particles-a consequence known as the Doppler effect.

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

It then combines these discreet velocity measurements at different depths into a full water current profile. This enables detailed insight into the flow of water right from the surface to the vertical section of the river.

5. What's needed for high - quality measurement of the Seversky Donets river currents?

In this regard, the equipment for high-quality measurement of currents will have to possess certain features, it should have high material reliability. A device operating within a river necessarily has to stand harsh water conditions, including impact with water and sediment, temperature fluctuations, etc., which means that it also requires durable equipment due to the variable flow of the Seversky Donets River and debris during the period of high flow.

Other desirable features include small size, light weight, and low power consumption. A device of compact and lightweight design will be much easier to handle and deploy, either on a boat or attached to a buoy. Low power consumption ensures that the equipment can be operated over long periods without recourse to frequent battery replacement or access to a continuous power source.

This is yet another important factor: cost-effectiveness. A more inexpensive option can facilitate the wider application of the measurement equipment for most extensive river monitoring.

In regard to ADCP casing, titanium alloy would be an excellent choice. The resistance of the titanium alloy to corrosion is very high, which is a factor that comes into play when dealing with water bodies like Seversky Donets River, where the equipment will continually be in contact with water and possibly corrosive substances. Besides being strong, it can also resist physical impacts and pressure changes that might take place during deployment and operation. Moreover, the density of the titanium alloy is comparatively low to make the equipment light during the selection process.

6. How to Choose the right equipment for current measurement?

In selecting the right equipment for measuring the Seversky Donets River current, several issues should be put into consideration.

Based on Purpose of Use

A horizontal ADCP would be the appropriate choice if the intention is to measure the horizontal cross-section of the river current. HADCPs are designed to give the accurate measurement of the water flow in the horizontal plane, helpful in the understanding of the general movement of water across a particular section of the river.

If the emphasis is on the measurement of the vertical cross-section of the river current, then a vertical ADCP will be appropriate. Vertical ADCPs can accurately measure the speed of water at varied depths and provide a clear profile of the manner in which the water flows vertically within the river.

Based on Operating Frequency

The frequency depends on the depth of the water in the Seversky Donets River. For example, for water with a depth of 70 meters or less, a 600 kHz acoustic doppler flow meter would generally be an appropriate choice. This frequency gives one good resolution and accuracy in measuring the water current in relatively shallower waters.

For deeper waters, such as those exceeding 70 meters up to about 110 meters, the more appropriate ADCP would be a 300 kHz unit. The lower frequency of 300 kHz can penetrate deeper into the water and give reliable measurements of the water current.

There are well-known ADCP brands like 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 Seversky Donets 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.