The grant could provide up to $250,000.
U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) Program is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU Partner for research on non-contact methods to measure stream bathymetry. Several novel methods for measuring stream velocity using non-contact methods are already under development and providing reliable results. However, the maintenance of stage-area ratings in streams that exhibit significant bed mobility is still a weakness in these methods. NGWOS is seeking to develop a reliable, low-cost sensor that can measure the channel and overbank geometry using a fixed mount, articulating device that can penetrate the water column and measure the elevation of the channel bottom (i.e., channel bathymetry).