A review of methods for monitoring streamflow for sustainable water resource management

• Published in: Applied water science Vol. 7; no. 6; pp. 2617 - 2628
• Main Authors: Dobriyal, Pariva, Badola, Ruchi, Tuboi, Chongpi, Hussain, Syed Ainul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-10-2017; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Accuracy; Aquatic Pollution; Climate change; Comparative Law; Cost effectiveness; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Environmental impact; Environmental monitoring; Flumes; Hydrogeology; Industrial and Production Engineering; International & Foreign Law; Methods; Monitoring methods; Nanotechnology; Particle image velocimetry; Private International Law; Resource management; Review Article; Reviews; Rivers; Stream discharge; Stream flow; Streams; Sustainability; Sustainability management; Terrain; Velocity measurement; Waste Water Technology; Water Industry/Water Technologies; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; Water resources; Water resources management; Weirs; Climate change; Ecosystem services; Streamflow monitoring; Water resource management; Fresh water
• ISSN: 2190-5487; 2190-5495
• DOI: 10.1007/s13201-016-0488-y

Monitoring of streamflow may help to determine the optimum levels of its use for sustainable water management in the face of climate change. We reviewed available methods for monitoring streamflow on the basis of six criteria viz. their applicability across different terrains and size of the streams, operational ease, time effectiveness, accuracy, environmental impact that they may cause and cost involve in it. On the basis of the strengths and weaknesses of each of the methods reviewed, we conclude that the timed volume method is apt for hilly terrain having smaller streams due to its operational ease and accuracy of results. Although comparatively expensive, the weir and flume methods are suitable for long term studies of small hill streams, since once the structure is put in place, it yields accurate results. In flat terrain, the float method is best suited for smaller streams for its operational ease and cost effectiveness, whereas, for larger streams, the particle image velocimetry may be used for its accuracy. Our review suggests that the selection of a method for monitoring streamflow may be based on volume of the stream, accuracy of the method, accessibility of the terrain and financial and physical resources available.