How to measure water current of Tigris River?

1. Where is Tigris River?

The Tigris River is considered one of the more important and ancient waterways in Western Asia. It heads from the Taurus Mountains of southeastern Turkey. It then flows southeasterly through Iraq, with its waters ultimately merging with the Shatt al - Arab, a confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers before discharging into the Persian Gulf.

This river is one of the cradles of civilization. On its banks, a lot of the most ancient human settlements had appeared, including those of Sumerians, Babylonians, and Assyrians. Two most significant urban concentrations-Mosul and Baghdad-fall within Iraqi territory and are situated on the Tigris River. The character of these cities has been defined by and adapted according to the river, supplying it with water, transport, and means of trade.

One can say that the valley of this river is highly fertile, having quite a rich agricultural history. Over thousands of years, crops of wheat, barley, and dates have grown upon the alluvial soils deposited by the Tigris River. The river is home to numerous species of fish, waterfowl, and different types of mammals. The general landscape ranges from arid plains to oases, where the river flows as a life-giving artery among the harsh environments.

2. What is the nature of the Tigris River's Flow Rate?

The flow rate of the Tigris River varies greatly by the quantity of rain and snowmelt derived from its catchment, that covers parts of Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. At its peak during springtime due to the melting of snow in the mountains in its uppermost reaches in Turkey, it has been recorded to have a high rate of flow. During that period of time, the average flow rate is up to several thousands or tens of thousands of cubic meters per second.

During the dry season, which is usually in the summer, the flow of the Tigris River can be considerably less. Dams and irrigation systems at its basin part also impact its flow. Dams are water retention basins, flood control systems, and hydroelectricity generators. They regulate the downstream flow of a river, which, if not well managed, may cause shortages in the downstream parts.

The flow of the Tigris River is imperative in terms of agricultural, economic, and ecological well-being in regions through which the river flows: this river caters to irrigation needs, has a rich biodiversity, and serves as a vital transportation route of goods and people.

3. How to Measure Water Current of Tigris River?

The water current of the Tigris River can be determined by several methods. Traditional methods include the use of current meters and floats. The placing of the current meters directly in the water at chosen points will give a measurement for the velocity. The floats, upon being released into the water, are then observed for their movement over a certain measured distance over known time to estimate the surface current speed.

However, a more enhanced and efficient method is through the use of Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler(ADCP). ADCPs give more details on the current profile of the river.

3.1 Principles of Operation-How Do Doppler Principle ADCPs Work?

ADCP current meter work according to the principle of the Doppler effect: they send acoustic pulses into the water. When these pulses encounter moving water particles, their frequency changes due to the Doppler effect upon reflection. This frequency shift allows the ADCP current profiler to estimate the velocity of the water at different depths.

The ADCP doppler uses different transducers, each sending acoustic signals in a different direction; these are capable of measuring both the horizontal and vertical components of water flow. This allows the three-dimensional mapping of the water current-a very important factor for understanding the complex flow pattern of the Tigris River.

3.2 What is needed to perform quality measurement of the currents in the Tigris River?

Equipment characteristics play a very significant role when it comes to the high-quality measurement of Tigris River currents with ADCP flow meter. First of all, the casing of an ADCP should be made from a reliable material; it should be made from the titanium alloy in the best variant.

There is a great number of advantages of titanium alloy. It is light in weight, and this probably may be useful for easy handling and deployment of the ADCP meter in often-remote and challenging places along the Tigris River. It has excellent corrosion resistance. Given the chemical composition of the Tigris River water and often-harsh environmental conditions in the Middle East, corrosion resistance will ensure long-term accuracy and reliability for the ADCP.

The ADCP should also provide low power consumption and low cost to extend the measurement along the Tigris River. A low-power-consuming ADCP profiler could operate longer and enable continuous monitoring. Cost-effective ADCPs can be deployed in more numbers without resulting in high financial costs.

3.3 How to Choose the Right Equipment for Current Measurement?

The intended usage, therefore, is another very important factor in selecting the right ADCP for measuring the Tigris River current. If it concerns horizontal flow across a section of the river, then an HADCP would be appropriate. HADCPs are designed to measure horizontal components of water current velocity with high accuracy.

The VADCP does a better job of making vertical flow profile measurements. The VADCPs are configured to measure the velocity of the water at varying depths along a vertical line in the river.

Where frequency is concerned, a 600 kHz. ADCP would do fine for shallow parts of the Tigris River for areas not exceeding about 70 meters in depth. However, a stretch deeper than that would require a 300 kHz. ADCP because it would be able to measure up to about 110 meters with a lot of reliability.

There are well - known ADCP brands such as Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and Sontek. However, for a cost - effective option with good quality, China Sonar PandaADCP is worth considering. It is made of all - titanium alloy material and offers an excellent cost - performance ratio. You can find more information on their website: https://china-sonar.com/.

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