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Manly Hydraulics Laboratory

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Acoustic Doppler Current Meter

A new style of current meter from Sontek in the USA has been deployed at several locations in major New South Wales river systems.  The instrument uses doppler shift technology to measure current velocities in river situations.  The ADCm looks sideways from a bridge pile into the water flow and returns the velocity over a layer of water in line with the instrument.  It is possible to program the ADCm to look at only the currents that are not affected by the bridge structure and in this case MHL has chosen to sample from between 2 and 10 metres away from the bridge pile. Water level and water temperatures are collected as well.

The data from the ADCm are stored within the instrument and three times a week (or more frequently if required) the data are downloaded to MHL.  A power supply,  a telephone and a modem are housed on the bank of the river.  

ADCm Instrument A view of the Sontek ADCm.

Panorama A general view of the Pacific Hwy. Bridge at Kempsey
Macleay River A closer view of the Pacific Hwy. Bridge at Kempsey.

B2 Experienced field operator gearing up to do some abseiling

B2 again Experienced field operator doing some abseiling

Detail of assembly A view of the conduit leading from the instrument (below water)

ADCm Instrument Installation near completion. 

 

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