Surface-Water Activities

Wading Measurement
Bridge Measurements
Cableway Measurements
Boat Measurements
Discharge Measurements Under Ice Cover
Indirect Flood Discharge Measurements
Electrofishing
Construction, Repair, and Maintenance of Streamgaging Stations
Gage Inspection and Records Removal
Scuba Diving

Wading Measurement

• Review the field folder to determine the best section for making wading measurements. Also determine if any potential risks are noted and the maximum velocity and depths that may be encountered.

• Determine whether the river stage is rising or falling. Beware of rapid rises in river stage when wading and anticipate and allow for changes in flow conditions at the end of the measurement. It is a good idea to select an object (rock, stump, mark along bank, etc.) that is just above water surface and keep watching it to determine if the river stage is rising or falling.

• Always probe the stream bed ahead with a rod when moving from bank to bank. Keep your feet spread apart and alignment of legs parallel to the flow for better stability.

• If the velocity becomes too great for safe wading do not turn around, because when the greater area of the front or back of the body is exposed to the current, you may be swept downstream. Back out carefully, bracing yourself with the wading rod.

• Don't try to break the station discharge record for the maximum wading measurement.

• Wear a PFD when wading and conducting discharge measurements. Tie the tagline securely so that you may pull yourself out, if necessary.

• Don't wear boots or waders that are too tight or too loose.

• Beware of sand channels where pot-holes, quicksand, and scour can be hazardous.

• Beware of slick, steep banks, and swampy areas.

• Watch for debris and ice drifting.

• Beware of streams with partial or thin ice cover and especially of ice-covered streams at the time of incipient breakup. To venture out on such ice, tie yourself to some stable object ashore or overhead, if available. Otherwise, stay off and return on another day.

• At controlled or regulated streams, consult recorder or instruction for pattern of regulation. Contact dam, reservoir or gate operators before entering stream.

Bridge Measurements

Bridges are inherently dangerous because of vehicular traffic. The following safety procedures are recommended when making discharge measurements from a bridge:

• Review field folders to determine any hazards that are noted and maximum depths and velocities that have been observed.

• Know how to use the equipment. Make a dry run with new equipment or unfamiliar equipment at the office with someone who knows how it operates.

• Check the operation of the equipment before leaving the office to make sure that cranes, meters, reels, and motors are in good operating condition. Perform a visual inspection of batteries used with power cranes. Replace if unusual wear or cracks in the casing are observed.

• Follow the procedures outlined in the Traffic Control Plan (TCP) for each bridge site for placing traffic control devices, and keep a copy in the field folder. The plan must meet Federal standards as a minimum, or State or local standards, whichever prevails.

• Park the vehicle on the shoulder and use colored, revolving beams and emergency flashers on vehicle to warn oncoming traffic, as stated in the TCP.

• Set "caution" signs and plastic cones around work area and assign a person, when necessary, to watch for traffic and debris in the river and shout warnings as appropriate.

• Wear an orange-colored PFD and work gloves.

• Using a reel and crane, either hand operated or power, can be dangerous because of the possibility of getting fingers caught under the cable or having the cable break and fly wildly. If at any time you lose your grip on the hand crank, make no attempt to grab the handle. Let it go! The flying handle can severely bruise an arm or even break a bone.

• When measuring at night, use adequate lights, especially if drift is running.

• Keep a sharp look-out for drift when measuring. Have a pair of heavy duty wire cutters handy to cut loose if drift is snagged.

• Work from upstream side of the bridges if at all possible, so that debris can be spotted moving downstream.

• Provide some device to alert boat operators that a cable is in the water.

• When working from a bridge that has hazardous power lines, provide a permanent warning sign on some part of the bridge directly above or below the hazard to alert the field person of the danger.

Cableway Measurements

Properly constructed and maintained cableways and properly operated cable cars are dependable and convenient. The following safety procedures are recommended to be followed when making cableway measurements:

• Review and adherence to the new manual "Streamgaging Cableways" (USGS Open-File Report 91-84 (1991) and WRD Memo No 9142 ("Plan for Insuring the Safety of Cableways") for information on construction, inspection, and maintenance of cableways.

• Review field folder and note any special conditions or procedures to be used at the site.

• Before starting to assemble measuring equipment in the cable car undertake a close inspection of A frames, all cables, cable connectors, and all bolts at both banks, if possible. It is especially important that all cable cars be equipped with the necessary safety equipment, such as car pullers, and braking system, and that towers or A-frames supporting the cable should be provided with suitable means of access to the cable such as ladders, climbing bolts, and landing platforms.

• Inspect all areas of the cable car for weak or missing parts, also check operation and condition of the braking system.

• After completing cableway inspection, proceed with setting up necessary measuring equipment in the cable car. When carrying sounding reel and weight, use proper lifting techniques. Caution must be taken in climbing A-frames and towers and getting into the cable car to avoid falling.

• Avoid personnel working under cableway platform when assembling measuring equipment in cable car.

• The cable car, when not in use, must be locked to the cable support by a bar hook. Then the car can be unlocked from the platform without danger of its getting loose. Once the field person is aboard, the car can be easily released without danger.

• A cable-car puller must fit the cable which is positive in its action and grip and which will release the cable readily and without undue effort.

• Before departing the bank where cable car is parked, inspect and take inventory of safety and operational equipment and inspect car for insect nests and cable for fishing lures.

• Wear PFD, hard hat, and work gloves. Carry extra cable-car puller, heavy duty cutting pliers for emergency cutting, sounding reel, insect repellent, and necessary tools for repairing measuring equipment.

• Keep your hands off the cable when the car is moving to prevent possible injury.

• If the river is used by boats, some warning device must be used to alert the boat operators that there is a cable in the water ahead.

Boat Measurements

• Review field folders to determine potential risks and maximum depths and velocities.

• Select the proper boat and motor for the particular job and maintain them in good, workable condition.

• Follow all safety precautions during trailering, towing, and launching boat.

• After arriving at boat measuring site, locate launching area for the boat. Check this area for snakes and clear any brush.

• Unload boat from top of truck or trailer. Remember to use proper lifting techniques.

• At least two people on board and one on bank

• Boat trailer must have lights rather than reflector

• Operators of boats must be trained in CPR and have completed an approved boating skills and seamanship course.

• Assemble all equipment associated with the boat measurement. Carry spare paddles, horn, cutting pliers, bailing devices, PFD's, and water jug.

• Stretch a tagline (with white or red flagging attached) across the river and secure it to a tree or stake with a cable grip. Wear a PFD, work gloves, and be observant for boat traffic. Provide an advanced warning to the boaters such as a compressed air horn, buoys, or flashing lights. Warning devices should be positioned 1/4 mi upstream and downstream of tagline. Remember, the only practical way to avoid tagline accidents is to engage a tagline release person and provide them with equipment to release the tagline quickly.

• Avoid or take special precautions in the vicinity of canal siphons, pumping intakes, bridge piers, docks, locks, and dams.

• Distribute weight evenly when loading your boat.

• Know emergency procedures and distress signals.

• In addition to the equipment required by law, carry a first aid kit, flashlight, distress flares, paddle or oars, extra shear pins, bailor or bucket, extra anchor and plenty of anchor line, mooring lines, a good tool kit, compass, reserve fuel and extra spark plugs, emergency water and food, and a transistor radio capable of receiving on the marine band.

• Call for weather report for the area you will be in prior to each trip. Beware of weather, currents, and tide conditions.

• Know and obey state and federal rules.

• Leave a float plan.

• Follow all safety precautions when fueling the craft. Portable fuel tanks should be lifted out of the boat and placed on the dock to be fueled. Don't forget to secure the tank and wipe up and wash down any spillage.

• Pay attention to your boat's handling characteristics and know its capabilities for all types of weather conditions.

• Keep clear of fixed objects and watch out for overhead power lines.

• Keep the boat in good condition.

• Where possible, have the boat safety checked by U.S. Coast Guard.

Discharge Measurements Under Ice Cover

A few reminders that might prevent accidents or damage to equipment are:

• Review field folder and study previous available field notes on hazards experienced at the measuring sites.

• Use appropriate ice drilling and measuring equipment. Power augers must have a dead man switch to stop the auger when the operator lets go. Be sure to have enough sharpened blades for ice drill that could be replaced when needed.

• A minimum of two people must be assigned to make a measurement under ice cover. Especially, when testing the strength of the ice, they should work as a team and observe all safety precautions. PFD's will be worn at all times during the measurement.

• After arriving at the site, first select the cross section that is most suitable for existing flow condition. This will require crossing the stream; the hydrographer should test the strength of the ice with solid blows using a sharp ice chisel.

• Ice creepers, strapped on the shoes of boots or waders, are especially recommended for use on steep or icy streambanks.

• After selecting a cross section, stretch a tag line across the stream. Start cutting holes with an ice drill. Be careful, avoid hitting rocks or logs.

• Dress according to the weather conditions; always carry extra clothing for emergencies.

• After holes are cut, start discharge measurement. The meter should be exposed as little as possible to the cold air so that its operation will not be impaired by the formation of ice on exposed parts. When taking velocity counts from hole to hole, avoid slipping on freshly formed glazed ice.

Indirect Flood Discharge Measurements

The field surveying is performed in a timely manner after the flood peak occurrence, and is performed under commonly difficult field conditions. The high-water marks are generally flagged within 24 hours of the crest, when seed lines are fresh. Field conditions can be hazardous and require extreme caution by field people. These conditions can include dead and decaying animals, broken sewer lines, foul humid air, downed power lines and trees, and snakes up in trees. Additional information can be found in Benson and Dalrymple (1967) or Rantz and others (1982).

Electrofishing

Electrofishing is an inherently hazardous activity in which safety is the primary concern. The electrical energy used in EF is sufficient to cause electrocution. To protect the safety of the employees involved in EF, the WRD has issued Memorandum 93.19 ("Requirements for WRD Personnel Performing Electrofishing") that presents policy on training, immunization, and procedures and responsibilities.

Construction, Repair, and Maintenance of Streamgaging Stations

The maintenance of gages needs to be conducted on a regular basis. If maintenance is scheduled and carried out properly, it will result in fewer safety risks and less costly repairs. All manufacturer's recommendations must be closely followed when servicing or trouble-shooting equipment. Instructions associated with equipment operation in the field must be filed in the field folder. All specific information related to the maintenance of the gage must be available prior to technician's departure to the field. The following safety procedures relating to gaging stations are recommended.

• Identify all potential hazards before the construction or repair of the gage. Assemble the list of hazards from hazard elimination logs, and provide it to the field crew.

• Clear away the brush, vegetation, or debris from around the structure using a brush hog, keeping a sharp eye out for poisonous snakes. Hip boots or high-top leather shoes provide some protection against snake bites.

• During construction of gage houses, the excavation must be properly shored to eliminate any danger of cave-ins. Scaffolding should be well constructed and checked before using.

• Before any excavation is started, the location of underground utility lines must be identified. These
  lines include electric, oil and gas, telecommunications, water, and sewer.

• When doing construction or repair work on the gage structure, precautions must be taken against falls. Portable ladders used to gain access to the roof of a gage house must be well positioned to prevent slippage.

• When doing construction or repair work to the gage structure attached to bridges, precaution must be taken to insure employees safety as well as the safety of the motoring public while working from the bridge. Wear PFD's at all times. Check atmosphere in well before entering and have an assistant and retrieval system available for emergencies.

• When working in a well, be sure that tools are in a safe place where they cannot be knocked into the well. When buckets are lowered or raised, the person below, should wear a hard hat and stand in the farthest side from the trap or well door.

• When entering a well (confined space), proper ventilation in the well is necessary. Some wells may have little or no oxygen. Use a gas monitoring instrument to check for the presence of harmful gases and low oxygen levels. Do not strike a match in a well because of the danger posed by the possible presence of explosive or flammable vapors. Do not work in the well until the deficiency is corrected.

• Carry plenty of rope and complete set of bridge traffic control safety equipment to warn motorists.

• The walkaways, steps, etc., to the gage houses must be checked frequently. Any parts that are decayed, broken, loose, etc. must be replaced promptly. Never paint a wooden walkaway, use a wood preservative.

• Flooring, trap doors, and shelves within the gage house must be checked frequently for safety. Wooden parts will often become weakened by decay and must be replaced.

• Ladders and ladder rungs must be properly secured to and spaced from the gage house walls. Those under water can rust so badly that they become unsafe. When descending or ascending ladders, employees should make sure of their footing and always have one hand gripping the siderails.

• Check for evidences of rodents as a prevention of hantavirus and other infectious diseases. Respirators must be worn during removal of rodent nests and excreta. The inside of the gage house must be sprayed with a chlorine solution (1 cup Chlorox to 1 gallon of water). Access holes for rodents must be found and plugged.

Gage Inspection and Records Removal

Upon arrival at the station, one should clear away the brush, vegetation, or debris from around the structure, keeping a sharp eye for poisonous snakes before beginning the inspection and records removal. Open the gage house door carefully and look for unusual conditions that might exist inside. If the station was vandalized, equipment in the gage house may be left in a dangerous condition. Also, look for insects that could be a hazard to you during your work inside the gage house. Brace the door or lid of the shelter so it will not close by strong wind while you are working inside of the gage house. In gage houses with wells or equipped with monitoring manometers, check if there is a supply of oxygen and maintain proper ventilation. The house door should be kept open for at least a few minutes before servicing the equipment. This is because mercury vapor may be present even in ventilated houses.

Do not work inside a gage house with the door closed. Gage house doors are often targets for gun practice. People may not be aware that someone may be behind the closed door.

Share information on any hazard that you discover by leaving a note in the field folder and inside the gage house, and list all hazards on a hazard elimination log. Any problem that field personnel encounter in the field must be corrected immediately, if possible. A problem left unresolved could become a serious hazard.

Keep the inside of the gage house clean.

Scuba Diving

Safety considerations include:

• Always dive with another person; use the buddy system. Stay together continuously.

• Avoid decompression, dive within your limits.

• Make the deepest dive first.

• Control buoyancy; don't overweight yourself.

• Always display the dive flag while diving.

• Avoid strong currents and begin dive against current.

• Equalize pressure early and often.

• Develop and use methods to communicate underwater.

• Limit depth to 100 feet or less.

• Breathe regularly and be aware of the hazards of breath holding.

• Stay aware of air supply while diving.

• Ascend carefully and slowly.

• Leave water when shivering, tired, or injured.

• If diving in an area where gates are being moved using electrical power, coordinate the dive with the gate tender to avoid movement of the gates while the diver is in the water.

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Last Modified: 11:26 27June1996 ghc