Why We Measure River Flow in Madhya Pradesh?

1. Where is Madhya Pradesh?

Geographical Background

Madhya Pradesh lies in the central part of India and has been designated as the "Heart of India" due to its geographical position. Spanning latitudes 21.2°N to 26.8°N and longitudes 74.1°E to 82.4°E, the state possesses a varied topography. The Deccan Plateau occupies most of Madhya Pradesh and consists of undulating hills, plateaus, and rocky outcrops. Its northern half lies in the fertile Gangetic Plain, a stark difference from the belt of the plateau. The varied topography finds its reflection on the river and water body pattern, thus shaping the hydrological regime of the state.

Humanities and culture

Madhya Pradesh abounds in cultural wealth, with history and mythology woven all around. It was the home of the grand ancient kingdoms such as Mauryas, Guptas, and Chandelas, whose dynasties have their echoes in the wealth of historical monuments within the state. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned all over the world for its beautiful and sensual temple carvings, which echo the perfection in craftsmanship of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are not only architectural wonders but also an indication of the religious, social, as well as cultural life of the period.

The state is mentioned in Hindu mythology as well. Ujjain, which is one of the seven holy cities of Hinduism, lies in Madhya Pradesh. It is one of the biggest centers of pilgrimage and receives millions of pilgrims during Kumbh Mela, a major religious festival, which is held once every 12 years. Here the culture is rich, including dances like Matki and Ahiri, and music based on the rural way of life and culture of the state. The cuisine in Madhya Pradesh, which includes dishes like Poha, Bhutte ka Kees, and Dal Bafla, is of a distinctive flavor, decided by local produce and age-old trade routes.

Hydrology and River Overview

Narmada and Tapti are the major river systems of Madhya Pradesh. The Narmada River, the longest of all the Indian rivers, arises in the state's Amarkantak Plateau. It flows west through hilly and rocky terrain, traversing spectacular gorges and waterfalls, such as the Dhuandhar Falls. The Tapti River, whose origins lie in the Madhya Pradesh Satpura Range, flows west and eventually drains into the Arabian Sea.

These rivers hold immense importance for the state. Narmada, being itself a relatively locally sacred river, is the origin of water supply for irrigation, domestic, and industrial purposes. The Narmada irrigates vast cultivable land tracts, supporting the livelihood of agriculturists and the state's food output. Power generation is also maintained by the river through numerous hydroelectric schemes numbering in hundreds. The course of the Tapti River, while narrower in width than that of the Narmada, also offers irrigation water and supplies the native ecosystems. In addition to these main rivers, Madhya Pradesh contains a number of tributaries and small streams that supply the greater hydrological unit, impacting the water resources and ecosystem of the state.

2. What is the River Flow Near Madhya Pradesh?

Factors of Influence

Runoff and Precipitation

Madhya Pradesh has a tropical monsoon climate. The monsoon, which typically occurs between June and September, records the majority of the rain that falls on the state in a year. The state experiences irregular rainfall, with the southern and western regions getting more rain due to their closeness to the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. Heavy monsoon rains increase more run-off, and the rivers become over-tilted with an increase in their speed of flow. On the other hand, October to May is a dry season with precipitous falling water levels in river flow and, at times, shortage of water, mainly in areas far from the big rivers.

Topography and river morphology

Madhya Pradesh's varied topography exercises very strong control over river patterns of flow. When the rivers flow from the hilly and mountain region where they originated, the fast-flowing rivers with immense erosive capability, cut valleys and gorges due to the sloping terrain. When the rivers flow into the flat plateau region, speed is lost, and there is sedimentation. The Narmada River is narrow and deep in some places because it runs through rocky terrain but is wide with floodplains in some places. Meandering also regulates the flow where outer bends are eroded by the quicker current and on inner bends material is deposited by the slower current.

Reservoir Operations

There are various dams and reservoirs constructed over Madhya Pradesh rivers for hydroelectricity generation, irrigation, and flood control. Sardar Sarovar Dam over the Narmada River is the most significant and largest project. The reservoirs store water during monsoon season and distribute it out during the dry season in a controlled manner, and there is a constant flow of water for all applications. But these dams can also have social and environmental impacts. The release of dams can change river discharge and thus affect downstream ecosystems, the habitat of aquatic life, and the living of people whose survival is reliant on rivers.

Historical Hydrological Events

Madhya Pradesh has seen its share of floods and droughts. Severe 2019 monsoon rains caused floods on the majority of the state's territory, as well as over the Narmada and its tributaries. The floods displaced thousands of people, swept away crops and infrastructure, and disrupted traffic, reports submitted by the Madhya Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority show. On the other hand, drought has also been an endemic problem. In 2016, a prolonged drought led to general reductions in river runoffs and groundwater that precipitated water scarcity for residential and agricultural purposes, according to the Central Water Commission. It is such moments that are crucial to capture while formulating effective flood - mitigation and drought - management strategies to ensure the preservation of people's lives and livelihood in Madhya Pradesh.

3. How is River Flow in Madhya Pradesh Measured?

Traditional Methods

Surface Drift Float Method

Surface drift float method is a simple but primitive method to measure river flow. A floating body, say a buoy or a log of wood, is placed on the surface of a river. The duration it takes for the float to cover a known distance is measured, and if the distance is divided by the time, the river's surface velocity is obtained. This method is only able to give data on the surface flow, and wind can deform the measurements, resulting in erroneous velocities.

Anchored Boat Method (Staff Gauge / Current Meter)

In the anchored boat technique, a boat is fixed at one place in the river. A current meter is then lowered into the river at different depths to determine the velocity of water, and a staff gauge measures the water level. Multiple velocity readings from across the cross - section of the river and calculating the cross - sectional area help determine the discharge of the river. While this technique provides more precise data than the surface drift float technique, it is time - consuming, labor - intensive, and dangerous, particularly in streams with high currents.

ADCP Introduction: Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP)

The Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) is a noteworthy innovation in river flow measurement technology. Unlike traditional methods, ADCP flow meter is a non-invasive method that uses sound waves to measure water velocity at different depths. It has the ability to provide continuous profiles of the river flow from the bottom up to the surface in a relatively short period, making it very effective in monitoring the complex and dynamic river flows of Madhya Pradesh. It enables more accurate and total data collection, which is crucial for effective water resource management in the state.

4. How Is ADCP Operated Based on the Doppler Principle?

An ADCP operates on the Doppler effect. It introduces sound waves of a specific frequency into water. When the sound waves encounter moving particles in the water, such as sediment, plankton, or water molecules, the frequency of the backscattered sound waves is changed. If the particles are heading towards the ADCP profiler, the frequency of the backscattered waves increases, and if the particles are moving away from the ADCP, the frequency decreases. By precisely measuring this change in frequency (the Doppler shift), the ADCP can calculate the velocity of water at different depths. Different transducers in the ADCP measure the velocities in different directions, allowing calculation of the three-dimensional flow pattern of the river, with valuable information about the river's flow dynamics.

5. What is Required for High - Quality Measurement of River Flow in Madhya Pradesh?

Equipment Requirements

The reliable ADCP measurements in Madhya Pradesh rivers demand particular equipment specifications. The equipment should be durable since the rivers can be harsh environments with varying water quality, sediment burden, and chemical impurities. ADCPs built from corrosion-resistant materials like stainless steel or titanium are suitable to ensure long-term performance. A lightweight and compact construction is also preferred, simple to be transported and deployed, especially in inaccessible or hard to reach areas. Also, cost-effectiveness is an advantage as this can make the application of the technology extensive, which can monitor extensively the state's diverse river systems.

6. Selection of the Proper Current Measurement Gear

Method of Deployment

• Ship - Borne (Moving Boat) ADCP: Most appropriate for large - scale river surveys, discharge measurement over long reaches, and rapid mapping of the patterns of river flow. It is possible to measure extensive areas of the rivers in Madhya Pradesh when the boat is in transit, providing a comprehensive view of the flow characteristics.
• Bottom - Mounted (Fixed) ADCP: Suitable for long - term continuous monitoring, a bottom - mounted ADCP can be fixed at the riverbed to observe data over extended periods. This helps to ascertain long - term flow patterns, seasonal trends, and impacts of various factors on the river's flow.
• Cable - Way ADCP: Where cable - way infrastructure can be found in a river section, a cable - way ADCP can be hung and walked across a river to measure flow at multiple points. The method is convenient in a river section where boat-based measurements are problematic, e.g., where the river reach is too narrow or shallow.

Working Frequency

• 600 kHz ADCP: A 600 kHz ADCP is a moderate compromise between range and resolution, with a horizontal range of up to 70 meters. It can easily cover most river reaches in Madhya Pradesh and give reliable estimates of the flow parameters.
• 300 kHz ADCP: With a greater range of 110 meters, a 300 kHz ADCP is more appropriate for broader and deeper regions of the rivers, such as some sections of the Narmada River.

Brand Recommendations

Well-established globally ADCP brands are Teledyne RDI, Nortek, and SonTek, which provide high-quality and dependable products that have been used in various hydrological research and monitoring studies. For an affordable option, the ADCP manufacturer Chinese company's "China Sonar Panda ADCP" is the best. Constructed of all - titanium alloy, it is highly durable and reliable, making it perfectly suited to endure the harsh aquatic environment around Kochi. Being an "affordable ADCP", it gives excellent high - quality performance without cost. To know more, check https://china-sonar.com/.

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