Operating manual for the digital data-collection system for flow-control structures

This manual was written to help the user operate and maintain the digital data collection system for flow control structures. The system is used to measure daily discharge through river control dams. These dams commonly have tainter gates which are raised and lowered to keep the upper pool level relatively constant as the river flow changes. In order to measure the flow through such a structure, the positions of the tainter gates and the headwater and tailwater elevations must be known. From these data, the flow through the structure can be calculated. A typical digital data collection system is shown. Digitizing devices are mounted on the hoisting mechanism of each gate, as well as at the headwater and tailwater gages. Data from these digitizers are then routed by electrical cables to a central console where they are displayed and recorded on paper tape. If the dam has locks, a pressure-sensitive switch located in the lock activates a counter in the console which keeps track of the number of times the lock is drained and filled. (USGS)