An automatic suspended-sediment sampler

The automatic suspended-sediment sampler was originally designed to obtain a suspended-sediment
sample from a single point in a stream or reservoir during a rise in stage. The
sampler was intended to be used during periods when manually-operated standard samplers
could not be used. If the sampling site is remote from the field office or is inaccessible during
storm periods or if no notification can be obtained concerning a stream rise, an adequate
sampling program may be difficult to maintain. Having full knowledge of the many limitations
and inadequacies of this automatic sampler, personnel of several of the Quality of Water
Branch offices believe that, for many types of sediment transport and for specific sampling
sites, samples obtained with the automatic sampler are preferable to a complete lack of
samples.