Undergraduate Researcher return to map return to student search
Hometown:
KIMBERLY,
ID
US
(Twin Falls County)
School:
College of Southern Idaho
Undergraduate student
GIS and Agriculture
Funded by EPSCoR Award:
ICREWS | OIA-2242769
Research Location(s):
COUNTIES:
LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT(S):
Research Statement:
Water in the intermountain west is a limited resource. Water budgets are used to determine allocation and distribution for all uses and require precise inputs. One precise input is flowing measurements from open channels. Historical methods of measurements include velocity meters, weirs, gaging stations, and flumes. Open channels present a particular set of challenges primarily due to access and the inability to construct permanent structures.
Research Impact:
One potential solution is to utilize inexpensive sUAS (drones) to take imagery that can be tied to the water elevation in a controlled section. Controlled section establishment is non-permanent, and measurements can be taken significantly quicker than utilizing velocity meters. The purpose of this research was to determine if such a method could be used to accurately make flow measurements in these controlled sections.