Discharge definition stream. The degree to which discharge affects the structure of stream and river ecosystems cannot be overstated. Sometimes, the product of velocity and cross-sectional area (width times Mar 6, 2012 · Stream flow, or discharge, is the volume of water that moves over a designated point over a fixed period of time. In hydrology, discharge is the volumetric flow rate (volume per time, in units of m 3 /h or ft 3 /h) of a stream. Channel precipitation is the moisture falling directly on the water surface, and in most streams, it adds very little to discharge. It is typically measured in cubic feet per second (cfs) or cubic meters per second (cms). Nov 21, 2023 · Stream discharge is measured by multiplying the velocity of water flowing through a channel by its width and depth. Streamflow values are better indicators than gage height of conditions along the whole river. Definition Discharge is the volume of water that flows through a river or stream at a given point over a specific time period, typically measured in cubic meters per second (m³/s). S. Floods and Flooding Stream Discharge The Mississippi River lapped at the City of Keokuk on July 7, 1993, as it flooded the municipal water pollution control plant in the foreground (U. However, the USGS has more accurate ways of determining how much water is flowing in a river. Cubic foot per second (CFS, ft 3 /s) is the rate of discharge representing a volume of 1 cubic foot passing a given point in 1 second. Stream ecologists consider discharge a master variable, as varying rates of discharge directly Control structure, as used in this report, is a structure on a stream or canal that is used to regulate the flow or stage of the stream or to prevent the intrusion of saltwater. Discharge (or flow) refers to the volumetric amount of water carried by a body of water per unit time and is commonly expressed in units of cubic feet per second (cfs) or liters per second (lps). G. Read on to learn more. Streamflow (also known as discharge) is the volume of water flowing past a given point in the stream in a given period of time. Groundwater enters the streambed where the channel intersects the water table, providing a steady supply of water, termed baseflow, during both dry and . Sorting through all the tools and techniques for measuring stream discharge can feel overwhelming. Jun 13, 2018 · How can one tell how much water is flowing in a river? Can we simply measure how high the water has risen/fallen? The height of the surface of the water is called the stream stage or gage height. This article provides the foundational understanding you need. [1] Mar 3, 2019 · Streamflow (also called discharge) is computed from measured water levels using a site-specific relation (called a stage-discharge rating curve) developed from onsite water level and streamflow measurements made by USGS hydrographers. It is often expressed as cubic feet per second (ft 3 /sec). ). Streamflow is reported as cubic feet per second (ft 3 /s). The discharge of a stream is the product of its velocity (V - length of travel per unit of time such as feet/second) times depth of the water (D - unit of length) times width (W of the water - units of Stream discharge is derived from four sources: channel precipitation, overland flow, interflow, and groundwater. It equals the product of average flow velocity (with dimension of length per time, in m/h or ft/h) and the cross-sectional area (in m 2 or ft 2). Jun 11, 2025 · Definition and Concept of Discharge Discharge, in the context of hydrology, refers to the volume of water flowing through a given cross-sectional area of a river or stream per unit time. Discharge of a stream refers to the volume of water that passes through a given cross-section of the stream per unit of time. 21zpayvh ttbz c3b5gn dqi qrm4hrdm 9ksygf nkeb fpt cbf m155