RiverSonde
The RiverSonde® is an affordable, non-contact monitoring system providing continuous surface cross-channel velocity profiles for streams, channels, and rivers. Data output from this system can be used as an index velocity in conjunction with other data sets or as model input for calculation of total water discharge (Q). It is also ideal for monitoring river movement during flood events and in disaster planning.
This system is designed for operation at river's edge, in populated or remote locations. Robust hardware and software allow automated operation and data processing, even under extreme weather and/or vessel traffic conditions when other in-situ devices routinely fail.
Development began at CODAR Ocean Sensors in 1999 with funding from the US Geological Survey (USGS), whose aim was to see a non-contact alternative to present stream gauging methods. The RiverSonde is now commercially available.
