ABSTRACT
The velocity-area method for the determination of discharge in open channels consists of measurements of stream velocity, depth of flow and distance across the channel between observation verticals. The velocity is measured at one or more points in each vertical by a current meter and an average velocity determined in each vertical. The discharge is derived from the sum of the product of mean velocity, depth and width between verticals. The discharge so obtained is normally used to establish a relation between water level (stage) and streamflow. Once established this stage-discharge relation is used to derive discharge values from records of stages at the gauging station.
