182

Liquid-Flow Measurement

to be measured, and second, the elevation of the liquid surface

in the channel at the given flow.
The first step is to select the size of flume best suited. To il
lustrate, let it be assumed that the maximum flow to be meas
ured is 10 second-feet and the 2-foot flume is selected as the
most practical size. The channel at the site of installation is

SECTION O-O,

Fig.
5

10789

feet wide and for a flow of 10 second-feet the elevation of the

liquid surface is observed to be 1 foot above the bed. (Width

of channel is mentioned only to indicate the general or average
irrigation ditch found in the field.)
Since the limiting degree of free flow submergence for this
size of flume is 70 percent, it would be the usual practice to set
the structure to operate at about 60 percent. This would allow
for some increase in submergence after the flume is built. This
increase may be caused by filling in of the channel downstream
with sand or silt deposits, weeds, grass, and other growth along
the banks that trail in the stream and retard the velocity.