How to measure water current of Bug River?

1. Where is Bug River?

The Bug River is a significant waterway that traverses through parts of Poland and Ukraine. It winds its way across a diverse landscape that includes fertile plains, areas with lush vegetation, and sections that are bordered by charming small towns and rural settlements.

In Poland, it plays a role in the local geography and the lives of people in the regions it passes through. It has historical importance in terms of trade and transportation along its banks. In Ukraine, too, it is an essential part of the natural environment, providing water for various purposes. The riverbanks are always lined with beautiful trees and bushes, which house various bird species and other animals that add ecological value to the region. Locals depend on the Bug River for irrigation in farmlands, water for animals, and sometimes as part of recreation, including fishing and boating at those times of the year considered appropriate.

2. What is the flow rate of the Bug river like?

The Bug River has its flow rate seasonal. In spring, during the snow melting in its upstream areas and increased rainfall, the river witnesses a considerable rise in its flow. The water surges downstream with a relatively high velocity and the discharge can be quite substantial. This can lead to the river widening in some parts and having a more powerful current.

The flow rate stabilizes during the summer and fall seasons, possibly decreasing as it depends on the rainfall amount. In a dry season, during that part of the year where precipitation may be less, the flow is slower. In normal periods, the average flow velocity can be in the range of [give an approximation, such as 0.3 - 1.2 meters per second], and the discharge may be of the order of [give an approximation, such as 20 - 100 cubic meters per second]. These figures can vary based on specific weather conditions and the geographical characteristics of different sections of the river.

3. How to measure water current of Bug River?

The following techniques are available in measuring the Bug River's water current:

Velocimeter method: This is a conventional method that relies on mechanical or electrical velocimeters. The operators submerge these devices into the river at different depths and across the length of the river. In this manner, they are able to measure the actual water velocity at the point of measurement directly. This technique is time-consuming and labor-intensive since multiple measurements must be taken at various points to achieve an accurate profile of the current in the river.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) method: ADCP current meter is an up-to-date and very efficient technique that works on the principle of emitting an acoustic signal into the water column, then analyzing the Doppler shift of reflected waves, which allows one to calculate the velocity at various levels in the water course simultaneously, giving a thorough and complete picture of current conditions of the flow in much less time than the velocimeter method.

Buoy method: In this technique, buoys are placed on the Bug River surface. These buoys have sensors or tracking devices attached that can track the movement of the buoy as it is taken away by the current of the river. By observing the displacement of the buoys over time, an estimate of the surface current speed and direction can be derived. However, this technique is primarily concerned with the surface flow and may not be a true reflection of the conditions at greater depths in the river.

Of the above techniques, the ADCP flow meter is at the moment considered more progressive and less cumbersome in measuring the Bug River water current since it can provide detailed multi-depth data with less effort.

4. How do ADCPs using the Doppler principle work?

The basic principle on which ADCPs operate is the Doppler principle. They emit a certain acoustic frequency into the water and detect the Doppler shift that results when those pulses are reflected by particles-such as suspended sediment or small organisms-moving with the flow. If the particles are moving towards the ADCP, the reflected frequency will be higher than the emitted; if they are moving away, it will be lower.

By precisely measuring this frequency shift, and taking into consideration the angle at which the acoustic signals were sent and received, the ADCP current profiler can calculate the velocity of the water at different depths. Usually, several transducers on the ADCP profiler are oriented in different directions to measure flow velocity in both horizontal and vertical components. This will give a very detailed profile of the water current in the river and provide very useful information about the speed and direction of flow at different depths.

5. What's needed for high-quality measurement of Bug river currents?

For high-quality measurement of the Bug River currents, several key aspects are crucial with regard to the measuring equipment. First, the materials used in the construction of the equipment should be highly reliable. The devices must be able to withstand the harsh aquatic environment, including coping with water pressure variations, potential impacts from floating debris, and changes in temperature and water chemistry.

It should be compact in size, lightweight, and consume low power. A compact design allows for easy deployment and retrieval, particularly in a river environment where accessibility could be very poor in certain areas. Low power consumption means that the equipment can operate continuously for a long period without frequent replacement of batteries or any other external power sources, which is beneficial for long-term monitoring.

It also plays a significant role cost-wise since it allows massive measurement effort. One of the best options for the ADCP meter casing material is a titanium alloy. There are many great aspects about using a titanium alloy. For one, its corrosion resistance is outstanding meaning it will not deteriorate easily even with continuous contact from river water. It is very sturdy and can resist structural or mechanical stresses such as currents and accidents in the form of bumping and collisions. Apart from strength, despite that, it is fairly light in comparison to most of the other metals, so it's excellent in making equipment used in measuring the current in water.

6. How to choose a right Equipment for current measurement?

To select appropriate equipment for measurement of Bug River current following factors have to be considered:. The Horizontal ADCP (HADCP) will be the best option when the purpose of use requires measuring the horizontal cross-section of the river's flow. It is designed and engineered to capture the flow characteristics in the horizontal plane with great accuracy. On the other hand, for vertical cross-section measurements, the Vertical ADCP is more fitted since its concentration is on the flow at different levels along a vertical line in detail.

Besides, ADCPs of different frequencies are intended for operating in waters of different depths. For example, a 600 kHz ADCP will be good to go in water to a depth of about 70 meters. Thus, in the relatively shallower parts of the Bug River, it should give noise-free and quite accurate measurements. An ADCP with 300 kHz frequency is more fitting for water to 110 meters, which enables its application for measuring in deeper sections of the river.

There are some very famous brands of ADCPs in the market, such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. But the China Sonar PandaADCP is a high-quality but economical alternative for many users. It is made from all-titanium alloy material, which ensures not only the durability and reliability but also the cost-effectiveness of this device. You can learn more about it on its official website: https://china-sonar.com/.

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