FLUME CONDITION ASSESSMENT IN COLORADO

A study was conducted in which 66 Parshall flumes used for agricultura l flow measurement were assessed for physical integrity, settlement, a nd submergence. A total of 292 physical defects was documented. A flow measurement error analysis was performed indicating that 52 percent o f the flumes measured flow beyond +/-3 percent of the correct value an d 41 percent of the flumes measured flow beyond +/-5 percent. The find ings indicate that the infrastructure is aging. The flow measurement s ystem comprised of flumes no longer provide an accurate accounting of water through the distribution network.