PROPOSAL FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF FLOW MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENTS AND TECHNIQUES Paul J. Pilon(1), Janice M. Fulford(2), Zurab Kopaliani(3), Patrick J. McCurry(4), Nurullah Ozbey(5) and Claudio Caponi(6) April 25, 2007

Existing WMO guidance on flow measurements Not intended to provide detailed results of testing of flow measurement technology and measurement techniques Doesn’t address newest instrumentation technologies Technical Regulations – Volume III Hydrology (WMO, 2006) Technical Regulations – Volume III Hydrology (WMO, 2006) Guide to Hydrological Practices (WMO, 1994) Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13 Guide to Hydrological Practices (WMO, 1994) Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13 Manual on Stream Gauging (WMO, 1980) Manual on Stream Gauging (WMO, 1980)

OBJECTIVES Help make information and standardized test results on hydrometric instrumentation and measurement methodologies generally available to Hydrological Services (HSs) Help make information and standardized test results on hydrometric instrumentation and measurement methodologies generally available to Hydrological Services (HSs) Encourage and solicit testing of the newer hydrometric instrumentation and methodologies. Encourage and solicit testing of the newer hydrometric instrumentation and methodologies.

APPROACH Provide a web site as a forum for the exchange of instrumentation and measurement methodology test results and information. Provide a web site as a forum for the exchange of instrumentation and measurement methodology test results and information. Compile a list of existing information on the newer and older instrumentation, the existing and new methodologies for flow measurement Compile a list of existing information on the newer and older instrumentation, the existing and new methodologies for flow measurement Compile HS standards for hydrometric measurements with the help of staff from contributing HSs Compile HS standards for hydrometric measurements with the help of staff from contributing HSs Encourage the use of standard uncertainty analysis and test format when reporting instrumentation test results. Encourage the use of standard uncertainty analysis and test format when reporting instrumentation test results. Solicit loans of instrumentation and/or funding from instrumentation manufacturers and contributions from HSs of personnel, equipment and test facilities Solicit loans of instrumentation and/or funding from instrumentation manufacturers and contributions from HSs of personnel, equipment and test facilities

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 1) Summary of state-of-the-art discharge measurement instrumentation and methodologies; 2) Summary of international and national instrumentation standards and guidelines; 3) Information and guidance on conducting uncertainty analysis and verifying the performance characteristics of instrumentation;

EXPECTED OUTPUTS 4) Recommended standards for the analysis and presentation of test data to assist with the comparison of instrumentation and methodologies; 5) Collection of test reports on specific instruments and methodologies, where HSs will make these available and/or contact details of HSs where testing is conducted and information may be available; and 6) Web site to disseminate all of the above.

EXPECTED RESULTS 1) Improve the understanding of the accuracy of hydrometric instruments; 2) Encourage the development of instrumentation that meets the measurement needs of HSs; 3) Encourage the standardization of hydrometric measurements and the computation of estimates of measurement uncertainty, leading to improved quality of data; 4) Improve water use planning for sustainable development; and 5) Improve cooperation among HSs.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES 1) Flow measurement standards and manuals of HSs, 2) Existing instrumentation and methodologies used for flow measurement, and 3) Existing HS testing facilities and measurement standards. Other identified specific activities are 4) Guidance for testing instrumentation and methodologies to a known standard,

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES 5) Development of a reporting format for documenting instrument and methodology test results, 6) Adoption of a methodology to use for estimating the uncertainty of hydrological measurements, and 7) Development of a central web site for sharing hydrometric instrumentation information.

POTENTIAL LINKAGES WMO Commission for Instrumentation and Methods of Observation (CIMO) WMO Commission for Instrumentation and Methods of Observation (CIMO) WMO Regional Associations’ Working Groups on Hydrology WMO Regional Associations’ Working Groups on Hydrology UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) UNESCO International Hydrological Programme (IHP) International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) International Association of Hydraulic Engineering and Research (IAHR) International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) ASCE/EWRI ASCE/EWRI International Organization for Standardization (ISO) International Organization for Standardization (ISO) The Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI) The Association of Hydro-Meteorological Equipment Industry (HMEI)

COLLABORATION NEEDED National Testing Laboratories National Testing Laboratories National Hydrological Services National Hydrological Services International Organizations and Associations International Organizations and Associations Instrumentation Manufacturers Instrumentation Manufacturers Academia Academia

TIME FRAME A time frame developed to achieve each of the outputs. A time frame developed to achieve each of the outputs. Activities will be prioritized Activities will be prioritized On-going or planned activities of others will be taken into consideration On-going or planned activities of others will be taken into consideration

Working Together Offers the Greatest Potential for Success