Automated streamflow measurements in high‐elevation Alpine catchments

Abstract

AbstractSalt dilution is a well‐established streamflow measurement method in creeks, which works particularly well downstream of turbulent flow sections as the mixing of the salt tracer is enhanced. Usually, salt dilution measurements are performed manually, which considerably limits the observations of rare peak flow events. These events are particularly important for constructing robust rating curves and avoiding large uncertainties in the extrapolation of streamflow values. An additional challenge is the variability of the river cross section, especially after larger discharge events, leading to nonstationary rating curves. Therefore, discharge measurements well distributed over time are needed to construct a reliable streamflow–water level relationship and to detect changes caused by erosion and deposition processes. To overcome these two issues, we used an automated streamflow measuring systems at three different sites with contrasting hydrological and hydraulic characteristics in the Alps. This system allowed us to measure discharge at nearly maximum flow of the observation period (2020–2021) at all three sites and to detect abrupt changes in the rating curve by performing event‐based salt injections. The uncertainty in the measurements was quantified, and the streamflow was compared with official gauging stations in the same catchment. Based on a very large dataset of almost 300 measurements, we were able to evaluate the reliability of the system and identify the primary sources of uncertainty in the experimental setup. One key aspect was the site selection for the downstream electrical conductivity sensors, as measurement location strongly controls the signal‐to‐noise ratio in the recorded breakthrough curves.