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Streamflow monitoring at high temporal resolution based on non-contact instruments in a river prone to bathymetric shifts
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  • Guillaume Nord,
  • Suffiyan Safdar,
  • Masihullah Hasanyar,
  • Kingsley Obinna Eze,
  • Romain Biron,
  • Guilhem Freche,
  • Herve Denis,
  • Cedric Legout,
  • Alexandre Hauet,
  • Michel Esteves
Guillaume Nord
University Grenoble Alpes

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Suffiyan Safdar
University of Vermont
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Masihullah Hasanyar
Mines ParisTech
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Kingsley Obinna Eze
Technische Universität Wien
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Romain Biron
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
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Guilhem Freche
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
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Herve Denis
Centre national de la recherche scientifique
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Cedric Legout
Univesite de Grenoble Alpes
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Alexandre Hauet
Université Grenoble Alpes
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Michel Esteves
Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
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Abstract

This study presents a reliable methodology for monitoring streamflow in a dynamic river of the Alps prone to bathymetric changes using non-contact instruments. The method relies on water level and surface velocity radar monitoring, discharge measurements by Large-Scale Particle Image Velocimetry (LSPIV), and topographic surveys. A single proportional relation, resistant to bathymetric changes, is established between maximum surface velocity (Vs,max) and bulk velocity (Umean). Different methods are used to build this relation: (i) an empirical approach calibrated with the LSPIV measurements; (ii) the Isovel model; (iii) the Q-Commander software developed by the Sommer company. The applicability of the method is tested over a 2.5-year dataset. Compared to the empirical approach, both models, which require minimal input data, predict well the Vs,max-Umean relation. The location of the maximum surface velocity, which reveals to be resistant to bathymetric changes, is also well predicted by these models. Discharge is calculated at a time step of 10 min by multiplying the bulk velocity and the wetted area. The results are compared to the discharge series at the historical station located 2.5 km further upstream, which has a stage-discharge rating curve. Good agreement is observed when surface velocity is above 0.7 m/s, but accuracy decreases for lower velocities. A simplified uncertainty analysis estimates a 20% relative error on discharge calculated with the presented method.
02 Apr 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
12 Apr 2024Published in ESS Open Archive