RiverPro and RioPro ADCP Guide October 2017
EAR-Controlled Technology Subject to Restrictions Contained on the Cover Page.
Page 35
Locating the Start and Stop Positions
While the RiverPro/RioPro is pinging, the Hydrologist positions the boat until the application shows that
the RiverPro/RioPro is reliably collecting at least two bins of data and marks the position on the tagline
for future reference. Measure the distance to the shore from the RiverPro/RioPro. The RiverPro/RioPro is
positioned to the opposite bank where two bins of data are reliably collected. Again the tagline is marked
and the distance to the shore from the RiverPro/RioPro is measured.
Discharge Measurement
Before starting a discharge measurement with a RiverPro/RioPro ADCP using the moving boat method
and WinRiver II, the Hydrologist has:
1. Prepared the RiverPro/RioPro, boat, and any external sensors being used
2. Configured the computer, communications link(s), and WinRiver II software for data collec-
tion using the RiverPro/RioPro and any external sensors
3. Created a measurement file for the site
4. Ran the RiverPro/RioPro Built-In tests
5. Performed the compass calibration procedure
6. Performed a moving bed test
The Hydrologist is now ready to start making the measurement (Moving Boat or Stationary).
Moving Boat Discharge Measurement
A proper moving boat discharge measurement consists of multiple transects – passes across the measure-
ment location from one bank to the other, collecting data continuously as they cross. For each transect,
the Hydrologist must maneuver the RiverPro/RioPro to the marked position at one bank of the measure-
ment location (see Locating the Start and Stop Positions) and hold that position while they measure the
distance to the shore from the RiverPro/RioPro, start a measurement transect, and enter the starting edge
bank and distance into the WinRiver II software. After collecting the required number of edge ensembles,
the Hydrologist maneuvers the RiverPro/RioPro towards the opposite bank of the measurement location
in a smooth and steady manner, collecting data continuously as they travel across the river, and monitor-
ing for data loss and quality issues. When the Hydrologist reaches the marked position at the other bank
of the measurement location they hold that position while they collect the required number of edge en-
sembles, measure the distance to the bank, end the transect, and enter the ending edge distance in the
WinRiver II software. After completing each transect, the Hydrologist performs a cursory review of the
results and prepares to start the next transect.
The best practice for a moving boat discharge measurement is to collect discharge transects in reciprocal
pairs (one transect in each direction across the measurement location) with some minimum number of
total transects and/or minimum cumulative total duration for all transects. For locations with steady-state
flow conditions all transects should be within some specified percentage of the average discharge (typi-
cally 5%), and additional transects and/or cumulative transect duration may be required if that criteria is
not met. A minimum of two good water profile bins above the sidelobe cutoff are desired for all ensembles
in a transect to enable extrapolation of flow in the unmeasured top and bottom regions of the profile.
Once sufficient transects have been collected, the Hydrologist/team will perform a QA/QC review of the
data. Primary indicators of high RiverPro/RioPro data quality include a minimum loss of Bottom Track
depth and velocity data, minimum loss of ensemble and individual bin water profile data, maximization of
the measured Q as a percent of total Q, and consistency of the water velocity profile data between bins
(vertically) and ensembles (horizontally) across the transect.
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