Discharge measurement using portable dilution gauging flowmeters

This paper suggests that the relative salt (sodium chloride) dilution metho d should be more widely used for the routine measurement of stream discharg e, and has been written to increase awareness of the technique among flow-g auging practitioners. Recent improvements in instrumentation have increased accuracy and simplified practical application, making the method better su ited (in many circumstances) than the more widely used alternatives. The pa per (a) reports on a field study to evaluate the performance of a portable dilution-gauging flowmeter, and (b) considers the environmental issues whic h are associated with the method. The review reveals that the use of salt ( in the quantities typically required) is unlikely to have any significant e cological impact, and argues that environmental concerns are founded upon l ittle scientific basis.