Water Quality Transit Time (WQTT) for Continuous Velocity/Discharge Measurement in Large and Small Waterways

Non-contact and automated flow measurement in open channels is becoming more popular as techniques improve to measure surface velocity, reducing costs and risk to hydrographers.  However, these methods rely on estimates of bulk-to surface ratio estimates, as well as channel wetted area.  This study considers the accuracy and application of paired Up and Downstream Water Quality (WQ) measurements to estimate the Transit Time (TT) and average bulk velocity.  Combined with results from both the Automated Salt Dilution (AutoSalt) and Water Quality Mixing Model (WQMM) systems, we can calibrate the waterway for wetted area at a given water level, and hence estimate discharge from transit time velocity on a continuous basis using only temperature and conductivity insitu sensors.  This low-cost method can used to build or validate rating curves, measure peak and low flow events, and conduct cost-effective hydrological assessments over large regions for any size waterway,  to support climate change study and adaptation.  This method also has application to flood wave propagation and Initial Dilution Zone (IDZ) studies. Results from a large and a small waterway, along with uncertainty, is discussed.