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Laboratory Exercise No. 3

Conventional Methods of Measuring

Flow in Open Channels

Measuring flow of open channels is important for surface irrigation evaluation and
continued monitoring during the operation phase of the canal system. There are several
methods and devices that could be employed to measure flow in open channels. These
include:

 Float method;
 Velocity head rod method;
 The use of flow regime variations principle, by creating a critical flow with the help of a
measuring structures known as flumes and weirs; and
 Measurement of the dilution rate of a tracer, the concentration of which is known at the
intake point.

In this activity, only the first two (float and velocity head rod) methods are considered.
Compared with flow measuring devices such as flumes and weirs, these conventional methods
are inferior in terms of accuracy. However, where high degree of accuracy is not required and
the cost is a limiting factor, the float and velocity head rod methods are generally useful.

After accomplishing the required activity, you should be able to determine the flow rate
of open channels using different conventional techniques.

1 stop watch
1 tape measure
1 meter stick
40 m string (minimum length)
12 pegs (about 1 foot long)
1 object made of plastic (not too big nor too small)
2 pad papers
1 pencil
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A. Float Method

Step A.1 Select a straight section of the canal from 15 to 30 m long with fairly uniform cross
sections and mark the starting and finish lines as shown in Figure 1 below.

Modified from Taghvaeian (n.d)

Figure 1. Float method

Step A.2 Divide the length into five equal sections. Mark these with pegs as these are the
points of measurement.

Step A.3 Construct a 3-column table similar to Table 1 overleaf.

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Table 1. Width and depth of the canal at different sections

Point of Measurement Top Width (m) Depth (m)
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Mean
Do not use this table to enter your measurements. Another table to work on is provided at the
end of this exercise.

Step A.4 Measure the width and depth of the test sections and record the measurements in
Table 1.

Step A.5 Solve for total and mean of top width and depth and enter results in Table 1.

Step A.6 Construct a 2-column table similar to Table 2.

Table 2. Time of the floating object to travel a known canal length

Trial Time Elapsed (sec)
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Mean
Do not use this table to enter your measurements. Another table to work on is provided at the
end of this exercise.
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Step A.7 Place the floating object in the ditch a few meters above the starting point and
time the number of seconds for this object to reach the finish line.

Record this first trial measurement in Table 2.

Step A.8 Repeat Step A.7 for at least four more times.

Record these second to fifth trial measurements in Table 2.

Step A.9 Solve for total and mean of time elapsed, and enter results in Table 2.

Step A.10 Determine the flow velocity in meters per second (mps) by dividing the length of
the test section (in meter) by the average time elapsed (in seconds).

Step A.11 Since the velocity of water at the surface is greater than the average velocity of
the stream, multiply the estimated surface flow velocity by a coefficient (C) given
in Table 3 below to obtain the average stream velocity.

Table 3. Coefficient to correct surface float velocities to mean channel velocities

Average Depth (ft) Coefficient (C)
1 0.66
2 0.68
3 0.70
4 0.72
5 0.74
6 0.76
9 0.77
12 0.78
15 0.79
20 0.80
Source: United States Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation (1997)
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Step A.12 Compute the average cross-sectional area (A) of the canal (m2) using the
appropriate equation below depending on the cross-section of the test canal.

For trapezoidal canal (Figure 2):

A = bd + zd2 (Eq. 1a)

Source: Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard 603 (2016)

Figure 2. Geometric elements of trapezoidal canal

For rectangular canal (Figure 3):

A = bd (Eq. 1b)

Source: Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard 603 (2016)

Figure 3. Geometric elements of rectangular canal

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For parabolic canal (Figure 4):

A = 2td/3 (Eq. 1c)

Source: Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard 603 (2016)

Figure 4. Geometric elements of parabolic canal

For triangular canal (Figure 5):

A = zd2 (Eq. 1d)

Source: Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard 603 (2016)

Figure 5. Geometric elements of triangular canal

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where: A Cross-sectional area of the flowing water normal to the direction of flow
b Bottom width
d Depth of flow
t Top width of water surface
z Side slope expressed as a ratio of horizontal (h) is to vertical (v).
z is shown in Figures 2 and 5 as being equal to the ratio e/d where
e is the horizontal distance and d = 1 is the vertical distance of the
sloping side of a channel.

Step A.13 Calculate the rate of flow (Q) using Equation 2, thus:

Q = AV (Eq. 2)

where: Q Discharge, ft3/sec (cfs) or m3/sec

A Cross-sectional area of the flowing water normal to the direction of
flow, ft2 or m2
V Average flow velocity perpendicular to the cross-sectional area,
ft/sec (fps) or m/sec (mps)

B. Velocity Head Rod Method

Step B.1 Construct a 4-column table similar to Table 4 below.

Table 4. Normal and turbulent depths of flow

Point of Normal Depth Turbulent Depth Jump or Head
Measurement (D1, inch) (D2, inch) (H = D2 – D1)
1
2
3
4
5
Total
Mean
Do not use this table to enter your measurements. Another table to work on is provided at the
end of this exercise.
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Step B.2 Place the meter stick with the narrow edge upstream as shown in Figure 2a below.
Record the depth of the water (normal depth) in Table 4.

Source: Waterwatch Australia National Technical Manual (2002)

Figure 2. Velocity head rod method

Step B.3 Place the meter stick sideways as in Figure 2b above. This will cause some
turbulence and the water level will “jump” causing the water level to rise. Record
the level again (turbulent depth) in Table 4.

Step B.4 Subtract the normal depth (D1) from the turbulent depth (D2) and enter the
difference in Table 4.
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Step B.5 Solve for total and mean of normal depth, turbulent depth and head, and enter
results in Table 4.

Step B.6 Find the corresponding velocity from Table 5 below.

Table 5. Conversion table for velocity head rod measurements from inches to ft/sec
Jump or Head (H, inches) Corresponding Velocity (ft/sec)
0.5 1.6
1 2.3
2 3.3
3 4.0
4 4.6
5 5.2
6 5.7
7 6.1
8 6.5
9 6.9
10 7.3
11 7.7
12 8.0
15 9.0
18 9.8
Source: Martin (2011)

Step B.7 To get the flow rate (Q), multiply this converted velocity (Step 6) by the cross-
sectional area of the ditch as already determined in Step 12 of the Float Method
above.
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Due Date: ASAP but not later than ____________________________________.

Penalty for Late Submission: 5 points deduction per day of delay

This Laboratory Exercise will be performed by a group of five students. The workbook, however,
shall be accomplished and submitted individually but to be passed in group. Indicate the name
of group members below:

Leader:

Members:

Provide also pictures of the activities at the end of this exercise.

A. Float Method

1. Find a straight section of a canal about 25 m long with fairly uniform cross sections and mark
the starting and finish lines.

2. Divide the total length into five 5-m lengths and mark these with pegs. These pegs are the
points of measurement for the top width and depth of flow. Enter measurements in Table 1
overleaf.
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Table 1. Width and depth of the canal at different sections

Point of Measurement Top Width (m) Depth (m)
1

Total

Mean

3. Solve for total and mean for both top width and depth of flow. Enter results in Table 1 above.

4. Place the floating object in the canal a few meters above the starting point and time the
number of seconds for this object to reach the finish line. Perform this for at least 5 times and
record measurements in Table 2.

Table 2. Time of the floating object to travel a known canal length

Trial Time Elapsed (sec)
1

Total

Mean

5. Solve for total and mean time elapsed and enter results in Table 2.
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6. Solve for velocity of flow (V) using the equation:

V = Length (L)/Time elapsed (T)

Note: This V is the velocity of flow at the surface.

7. Convert the velocity of flow at the surface to mean velocity of the canal, thus:

Mean Vcanal = (Correction coefficient from Table 3 above)(Velocity of flow at the surface)

Interpret result:

8. Solve for average cross-sectional area (A) of the canal using the appropriate equation in
Step 12 above depending on the cross-section of the test canal.

A=
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Interpret result:

9. Solve for rate of flow (Q) using the equation:

Q = AV

Interpret result:
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B. Velocity Head Rod Method

1. On the same test canal used in the float method, place at the middle in any section of the
test canal the meter stick with the narrow edge upstream (see Figure 2a above). Record this
normal depth (D1) in Table 4 below.

Table 4. Normal and turbulent depths of flow

Point of Measurement Normal Depth Turbulent Depth Jump or Head
(D1, inch) (D2, inch) (H = D2 – D1)
1

Total

Mean

2. On the same spot in Step 1, turn the meter stick so that its position is perpendicular to the
direction of flow in the canal (see Figure 2b above). Record this turbulent depth (D2) in
Table 4 above opposite the first D1 measurement.

3. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 in four other different spots within the test canal. Record
measurements in Table 4 above.

4. Solve for the “jump” or head (H = D2 – D1) and enter results in Table 4 above.

5. Solve for total and mean for both D1 and D2 including the head and enter results in Table 4
above.

6. Convert the mean head in inches to ft/sec using the appropriate conversion factor in Table
5 above, thus:

Mean Vcanal = (Correction factor from Table 5 above)(Mean head in inches from Table 4)
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Interpret result:

7. Solve for rate of flow rate (Q) using the equation:

Q = AV

Interpret result:
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(Compare the results of the float and velocity head rod methods and draw conclusion.)
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Clipart Library. (n.d). Agricultural and biosystems engineering [Logo]. Retrieved from
http://clipa.cash/agricultural-biosystems-engineering-logo.html

Food and Agriculture Organization. (n.d). Guidelines for designing and evaluating surface
irrigation systems. Rome, Italy: Agency. Retrieved from
http://www.fao.org/docrep/T0231E/t0231e00.htm

Martin, E.C. (2011). Measuring water flow in surface irrigation ditches and gated pipe. University
of Arizona. Arizona Water Series No. 31. Retrieved from http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs

Peterson, M. & Cromwell, C.F. Jr. (1993). Measuring irrigation water in a ditch, stream or reservoir.
Missouri University. Retrieved from http://www.missouri.edu

Philippine Agricultural Engineering Standard 603. (2016). Open channels – Design of main canals,
laterals and farm ditches.

Taghvaeian, S. (n.d). Irrigation water flow measurement. Oklahoma State University. Fact Sheet
No. BAE-1502. Retrieved from http://osufacts.okstate.edu

United States Department of the Interior-Bureau of Reclamation. (1997). Water measurement

manual. 3rd ed. A Water Resources Technical Publication.

Waterwatch Australia National Technical Manual. (2002). Module 4 – Physical and chemical
parameters. Waterwatch Australia Steering Committee Environment Australia.