New technologies introduced for measuring water discharge in Azerbaijan

For the first time in Azerbaijan, new technologies have begun to be used to measure water discharge. This was reported on Tuesday by Irada Ibrahimova, acting press secretary of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources (MENR).
In accordance with the "Program for the Development of Hydrometeorology in Azerbaijan" (2004-2010), the improvement of hydrometeorological work is continuing.
For the first time in Azerbaijan, the approximate water discharge in the Kura River was measured by the ultrasound method using an ADP (Acoustic Doppler Profiler) device manufactured by the American company “SonTec”.
When measuring water discharge by the ultrasound method, the current velocity is measured across the entire width every two to three meters, and vertically every 40 centimeters; at the same time the depth is determined and a cross-sectional profile of the river is produced. The device is controlled by a computer placed on a motorboat; all data are displayed on the screen in real time and recorded in archive files, which makes it possible to later simulate this work on a computer.
According to Ibrahimova, hydrology traditionally used a mechanical current meter to measure water discharge, which, for rivers such as the Kura, required a great deal of time and labor, and sufficient accuracy was not achieved. During floods, measuring water discharge became even more difficult: tree branches often broke the current meter in the water, and at the same time the workers themselves were at risk.
With the ultrasound method, water discharge is measured quickly, easily and accurately. The National Hydrometeorological Center has two such devices, which make it possible to measure water discharge in the Kura, Araz and Ganikh rivers more accurately, quickly, safely and easily. The device can also be used in coastal waters (up to 25 meters) to study sea currents.
Source: news.trend.az