Moving-boat Measurements
Moving-boat deployments include crewed boats, tethered boats, and remote-control boats.
Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) are commonly deployed on moving boats to measure velocity distributions and discharge in oceans, estuaries, rivers, and streams. The velocity measured by a boat-mounted ADCP is the velocity of the water relative to the instrument (relative velocity). The velocity of the boat must be measured and removed from the relative velocity to obtain the actual water velocity. ADCPs designed for use on moving boats are able to measure the velocity of the boat using bottom tracking. At sites with significant sediment transport it is possible that bottom tracking will be biased by a moving-bed condition. If a moving-bed condition exists, the boat velocity must be measured with GPS or the measured velocities and discharge must be corrected (loop method, mid-section method, multiple stationary moving-bed tests) to remove the bias.
Moving-boat Deployment Resources
Guidance: Published guidance reports, technical memorandums, and recommended procedures.
Software: USGS utilities and post-processing programs, public domain software, manufacturer's firmware and software.
Deployments: A summary of mounts, tethered boats, RC boats, manned boats, and wireless communications.
Tech Tips: Tips for using your ADCP or deployment platform.
References: Reference manuals, relevant publications, hydroacoustic updates, forms, and select presentations.
Velocity Mapping: Links to sample applications, discussion of potential problems, summary of relevant equations, and links to processing software.
Related Content
Filter Total Items: 35
Errors in acoustic doppler profiler velocity measurements caused by flow disturbance
Acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) are commonly used to measure streamflow and water velocities in rivers and streams. This paper presents laboratory, field, and numerical model evidence of errors in ADCP measurements caused by flow disturbance. A state-of-the-art three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model is validated with and used to complement field and laboratory observations
Authors
D. S. Mueller, J.D. Abad, C.M. Garcia, J. W. Gartner, M.H. Garcia, K. A. Oberg
Validation of streamflow measurements made with acoustic doppler current profilers
The U.S. Geological Survey and other international agencies have collaborated to conduct laboratory and field validations of acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements of streamflow. Laboratory validations made in a large towing basin show that the mean differences between tow cart velocity and ADCP bottom-track and water-track velocities were -0.51 and -1.10%, respectively. Field valid
Authors
K. Oberg, D. S. Mueller
Correcting acoustic Doppler current profiler discharge measurements biased by sediment transport
A negative bias in discharge measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attributed to the movement of sediment on or near the streambed, and is an issue widely acknowledged by the scientific community. The integration of a differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) to track the movement of the ADCP can be used to avoid the systematic bias associated with a
Authors
D. S. Mueller, C. R. Wagner
Field assessment of alternative bed-load transport estimators
Measurement of near-bed sediment velocities with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) is an emerging approach for quantifying bed-load sediment fluxes in rivers. Previous investigations of the technique have relied on conventional physical bed-load sampling to provide reference transport information with which to validate the ADCP measurements. However, physical samples are subject to substa
Authors
G. Gaeuman, R. B. Jacobson
Evaluation of mean velocity and turbulence measurements with ADCPs
To test the ability of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) to measure turbulence, profiles measured with two pulse-to-pulse coherent ADCPs in a laboratory flume were compared to profiles measured with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, and time series measured in the acoustic beam of the ADCPs were examined. A four-beam ADCP was used at a downstream station, while a three-beam ADCP was used a
Authors
E.A. Nystrom, C.R. Rehmann, K. A. Oberg
Correcting acoustic Doppler current profiler discharge measurement bias from moving-bed conditions without global positioning during the 2004 Glen Canyon Dam controlled flood on the Colorado River
Discharge measurements were made by acoustic Doppler current profiler at two locations on the Colorado River during the 2004 controlled flood from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. Measurement hardware and software have constantly improved from the 1980s such that discharge measurements by acoustic profiling instruments are now routinely made over a wide range of hydrologic conditions. However, measuremen
Authors
J. W. Gartner, N. K. Ganju
ADCP measurements of gravity currents in the Chicago River, Illinois
A unique set of observations of stratified flow phenomena in the Chicago River was made using an upward-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) during the period November 20, 2003 to February 1, 2004. Water density differences between the Chicago River and its North Branch (NB) seem to be responsible for the development of gravity currents. With the objective of characterizing the occurre
Authors
C.M. Garcia, K. Oberg, M.H. Garcia
Application of the loop method for correcting acoustic doppler current profiler discharge measurements biased by sediment transport
A systematic bias in discharge measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attributed to the movement of sediment near the streambed-an issue widely acknowledged by the scientific community. This systematic bias leads to an underestimation of measured velocity and discharge. The integration of a differentially corrected Global Positioning System (DGPS) to track the moveme
Authors
David S. Mueller, Chad R. Wagner
Averaged indicators of secondary flow in repeated acoustic Doppler current profiler crossings of bends
Cross‐stream velocity was measured in a large river bend at high spatial resolution over three separate survey episodes. A suite of methods for resolving cross‐stream velocity distributions was tested on data collected using acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) in the sand‐bedded Sacramento River, California. The bend was surveyed with repeated ADCP crossings at eight cross sections during a
Authors
R.L. Dinehart, J.R. Burau
Quality-assurance plan for discharge measurements using acoustic Doppler current profilers
No abstract available.
Authors
Kevin A. Oberg, Scott E. Morlock, William Scott Caldwell
Repeated surveys by acoustic Doppler current profiler for flow and sediment dynamics in a tidal river
A strategy of repeated surveys by acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) was applied in a tidal river to map velocity vectors and suspended-sediment indicators. The Sacramento River at the junction with the Delta Cross Channel at Walnut Grove, California, was surveyed over several tidal cycles in the Fall of 2000 and 2001 with a vessel-mounted ADCP. Velocity profiles were recorded along flow-def
Authors
R.L. Dinehart, J.R. Burau
Results of a Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Sediment-Transport Model to Predict the Effects of the Phased Construction and Operation of the Olmsted Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near Olmsted, Illinois
The Olmsted two-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment-transport model was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. The model was used to estimate the effects that the phased-construction sequence and operation of the Olmsted Locks and Dam had on sediment-transport patterns in the 11.9-mile study reach (Ohio River miles 962.6 to 974.5), particularly over
Authors
Chad R. Wagner
Related Content
Filter Total Items: 35
Errors in acoustic doppler profiler velocity measurements caused by flow disturbance
Acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) are commonly used to measure streamflow and water velocities in rivers and streams. This paper presents laboratory, field, and numerical model evidence of errors in ADCP measurements caused by flow disturbance. A state-of-the-art three-dimensional computational fluid dynamic model is validated with and used to complement field and laboratory observations
Authors
D. S. Mueller, J.D. Abad, C.M. Garcia, J. W. Gartner, M.H. Garcia, K. A. Oberg
Validation of streamflow measurements made with acoustic doppler current profilers
The U.S. Geological Survey and other international agencies have collaborated to conduct laboratory and field validations of acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements of streamflow. Laboratory validations made in a large towing basin show that the mean differences between tow cart velocity and ADCP bottom-track and water-track velocities were -0.51 and -1.10%, respectively. Field valid
Authors
K. Oberg, D. S. Mueller
Correcting acoustic Doppler current profiler discharge measurements biased by sediment transport
A negative bias in discharge measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attributed to the movement of sediment on or near the streambed, and is an issue widely acknowledged by the scientific community. The integration of a differentially corrected global positioning system (DGPS) to track the movement of the ADCP can be used to avoid the systematic bias associated with a
Authors
D. S. Mueller, C. R. Wagner
Field assessment of alternative bed-load transport estimators
Measurement of near-bed sediment velocities with acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) is an emerging approach for quantifying bed-load sediment fluxes in rivers. Previous investigations of the technique have relied on conventional physical bed-load sampling to provide reference transport information with which to validate the ADCP measurements. However, physical samples are subject to substa
Authors
G. Gaeuman, R. B. Jacobson
Evaluation of mean velocity and turbulence measurements with ADCPs
To test the ability of acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) to measure turbulence, profiles measured with two pulse-to-pulse coherent ADCPs in a laboratory flume were compared to profiles measured with an acoustic Doppler velocimeter, and time series measured in the acoustic beam of the ADCPs were examined. A four-beam ADCP was used at a downstream station, while a three-beam ADCP was used a
Authors
E.A. Nystrom, C.R. Rehmann, K. A. Oberg
Correcting acoustic Doppler current profiler discharge measurement bias from moving-bed conditions without global positioning during the 2004 Glen Canyon Dam controlled flood on the Colorado River
Discharge measurements were made by acoustic Doppler current profiler at two locations on the Colorado River during the 2004 controlled flood from Glen Canyon Dam, Arizona. Measurement hardware and software have constantly improved from the 1980s such that discharge measurements by acoustic profiling instruments are now routinely made over a wide range of hydrologic conditions. However, measuremen
Authors
J. W. Gartner, N. K. Ganju
ADCP measurements of gravity currents in the Chicago River, Illinois
A unique set of observations of stratified flow phenomena in the Chicago River was made using an upward-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) during the period November 20, 2003 to February 1, 2004. Water density differences between the Chicago River and its North Branch (NB) seem to be responsible for the development of gravity currents. With the objective of characterizing the occurre
Authors
C.M. Garcia, K. Oberg, M.H. Garcia
Application of the loop method for correcting acoustic doppler current profiler discharge measurements biased by sediment transport
A systematic bias in discharge measurements made with an acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) is attributed to the movement of sediment near the streambed-an issue widely acknowledged by the scientific community. This systematic bias leads to an underestimation of measured velocity and discharge. The integration of a differentially corrected Global Positioning System (DGPS) to track the moveme
Authors
David S. Mueller, Chad R. Wagner
Averaged indicators of secondary flow in repeated acoustic Doppler current profiler crossings of bends
Cross‐stream velocity was measured in a large river bend at high spatial resolution over three separate survey episodes. A suite of methods for resolving cross‐stream velocity distributions was tested on data collected using acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCP) in the sand‐bedded Sacramento River, California. The bend was surveyed with repeated ADCP crossings at eight cross sections during a
Authors
R.L. Dinehart, J.R. Burau
Quality-assurance plan for discharge measurements using acoustic Doppler current profilers
No abstract available.
Authors
Kevin A. Oberg, Scott E. Morlock, William Scott Caldwell
Repeated surveys by acoustic Doppler current profiler for flow and sediment dynamics in a tidal river
A strategy of repeated surveys by acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) was applied in a tidal river to map velocity vectors and suspended-sediment indicators. The Sacramento River at the junction with the Delta Cross Channel at Walnut Grove, California, was surveyed over several tidal cycles in the Fall of 2000 and 2001 with a vessel-mounted ADCP. Velocity profiles were recorded along flow-def
Authors
R.L. Dinehart, J.R. Burau
Results of a Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Sediment-Transport Model to Predict the Effects of the Phased Construction and Operation of the Olmsted Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near Olmsted, Illinois
The Olmsted two-dimensional hydrodynamic and sediment-transport model was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Louisville District. The model was used to estimate the effects that the phased-construction sequence and operation of the Olmsted Locks and Dam had on sediment-transport patterns in the 11.9-mile study reach (Ohio River miles 962.6 to 974.5), particularly over
Authors
Chad R. Wagner