Statistical quality control of streamflow measurements with moving-boat acoustic Doppler current profilers

ABSTRACT

This technical note presents a new methodology for the statistical quality control of streamflow measurements with moving-boat acoustic Doppler current profilers. The methodology consists of two alternative acceptance criteria: uncertainty-based and residual-based. The former uses the uncertainty and the latter uses the maximum residual as a measurement quality indicator. Application examples are given to compare the proposed criteria with the existing criteria. The proposed criteria provide a unified quality control and may help determine the optimal number of transacts, avoiding potentially overdone or insufficient measurements.

Keywords:

• ADCP
• discharge
• measurement quality control
• streams and rivers
• uncertainty

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments that helped improve the quality of this technical note. The author also would like to thank Jeffrey L. Den Herder of Teledyne RD Instruments who collected the discharge data on the Mississippi River on 15 and 16 October, 2009.