Synthesis: The State of Knowledge and State of Practice for Non-Contact Radar Stream Gauges in Texas, the United States, and Internationally

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and other entities have begun to use non-contact radar for stream gauging to collect near-real-time stream velocity, discharge, and stage. Use of these devices is limited compared to traditional stream gauge methods that are typically used by the USGS and local government agencies in Texas. At the state level, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is leading the way, through partnership with the USGS, to deploy these stream gauges and is constantly learning how they can best be deployed. Because the gauges measure stream velocity and water level, they are easier and more useful to install in tidal areas than traditional gauges. In some streams, there is a peak in velocity wave in advance of a peak in water surface elevation, potentially acting as an advance warning of flood levels. Installation of these gauges is far simpler than traditional gauges in areas where channel vegetation, slope, or size, may affect equipment that must be installed down in the channel. While these gages appear to be less expensive to operate and maintain than traditional USGS gauging approaches, it would be beneficial to learn from experiences in other US states, agencies, and other countries who have used these devices for longer periods of time rather than solely learning by doing.

• Record URL:
  • https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/Presto/project=0-7202

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $64,776
• Contract Numbers:

  0-7202

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Managing Organizations:

  Texas Department of Transportation

  125 E. 11th Street
  Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
• Project Managers:

  Odell, Wade

• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

  Texas A&M University System
  3135 TAMU
  College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135

  United States Geological Survey

  IWSC, 1201 West University Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801
• Principal Investigators:

  Chang, Kuang-An

• Start Date: 20230901
• Expected Completion Date: 20240831
• Actual Completion Date: 20240831

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Data collection; Literature reviews; Measuring instruments; State of the practice; Stream gages
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01894852
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: 0-7202
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Sep 27 2023 4:40PM