USGS Top Setting Wading Rods
The USGS top setting wading rods are used with instruments that measure water flow rates and discharge in shallow rivers and streams for easy data collection.
Features
- Available in imperial & metric units
- Handle is constructed of anodized aluminum
- Works with many popular flow meters
- Free ground shipping
- Expedited repair and warranty service
- Lifetime technical support
- More
Overview
Wading rods are used with instruments that measure water flow rates and discharge in shallow rivers and streams. In fact, many popular flow meters require a wading rod to operate properly. Some of these include the SonTek FlowTracker, Marsh McBirney Flo-Mate, OTT MF pro, Type AA, and pygmy current meters.
Multiple Styles Available
Two versions of the wading rod are available - one with imperial units for measuring depth and another with metric units. The imperial rod is marked in feet and tenths of feet. It may be ordered in 4' or 6' long models. The metric rod is marked in centimeters and has a length of 1.2m or 1.5m.
Depth Indicators
Water depth can be determined simply by looking at the graduated markings on the wading rod. The anodized aluminum handle incorporates a scale to indicate the correct position of the flow meter at the 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 depth settings. Probe depth can be adjusted using implemented controls.
- (1) Top setting wading rod
- (1) Threaded base plate with lock washer
Select Options
In The News
Measuring Rising Floodwaters with the USGS
All year long the US Geological Survey (USGS) in North Dakota and South Dakota monitors water levels, but during times of flooding, all eyes are on the team. EM spoke to USGS data chief Chris Laveau about the monitoring efforts. “The US Geological Survey in North Dakota and South Dakota is one entity, so we monitor the flooding in both states,” explains Mr. Laveau. “The role is to provide continuous information on water level, we call that gauge height or stage, and we also provide continuous information at a lot of locations on stream flow, typically called discharge. We do that year round but, obviously, during a flood event it garners more attention.
Read More
Citizen Scientists Tracking Intermittent Rivers
Most of the time when we think of monitoring streams and rivers, we think of water, and for a good reason. However, in some parts of the country, many rivers are intermittent—dry at some point in space or time—and therefore have not had equal amounts of attention from ecologists and hydrologists. A project led by a University of Oklahoma (OU) team is working to change that with the help of citizen scientists. OU assistant professor of biology Daniel Allen spoke to EM about the project and why it's so important to track intermittent rivers. “ The Nature Conservancy (TNC) started the Citizen Science program in Arizona's San Pedro River and the nearby Cienega Creek in, I think, 2001,” details Dr. Allen.
Read More
From Pans to Buoys: Advancing Reservoir Evaporation Rate Monitoring in Texas
In warmer climates like Texas, high reservoir evaporation rates can lead to declines in water level and water availability during droughts, making monitoring essential in order to ensure water security during times of scarcity. According to the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), evaporation rates in Texas were previously based on data collected from a sparse network of Class A evaporation stations, dating back to the 1960s. These pans were stationed near reservoirs and still remain a widely accepted standardized approach to measuring evaporation rates on land. Monthly pan-to-lake coefficients were developed in the 1980s to connect the data collected from the pans to known lake conditions, extrapolating evaporation rates of the lakes using the pan data.
Read More
