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Characterizing variability in vertical profiles of streamwise velocity and implications for streamgaging practices in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois, January 2014 to July 2017

Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5128
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Chicago District
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185128

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Abstract

A critical component of the Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting program, which oversees the diversion of Great Lakes water by the State of Illinois, is the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois. The long-term application of an up-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler at this streamgage allows the flows at this study site to be examined from a new perspective: one that is not possible with the horizontally oriented instruments typically used at the site. This report presents results from more than 3.5 years of continuous monitoring data from the up-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler deployed at the study site, which allowed variability in the vertical profile of streamwise velocity to be characterized over a wide range of highly unsteady flows. These data revealed seasonal, density-driven underflows correlated with a combination of environmental variables. Two new methods for computing discharge were developed using this instrument and were determined to be of sufficient quality for Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting purposes. Finally, the up-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler and a barge-detection camera allowed the effect of commercial tows on streamgaging at the site to be evaluated. The addition of the up-looking acoustic Doppler current profiler to the U.S. Geological Survey streamgage on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois, has ensured the best current engineering practices and scientific knowledge are implemented in the Lake Michigan Diversion Accounting program in accordance with the U.S. Supreme Court decree of 1967, as amended in 1980.

Suggested Citation

Jackson, P.R., 2018, Characterizing variability in vertical profiles of streamwise velocity and implications for streamgaging practices in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois, January 2014 to July 2017: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5128, 73 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185128.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Characterizing Variability in Vertical Profiles of Streamwise Velocity
  • Implications for Streamgaging Practices
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
  • Appendix 1. Data Tables Used in Index-Velocity Rating Development
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Characterizing variability in vertical profiles of streamwise velocity and implications for streamgaging practices in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near Lemont, Illinois, January 2014 to July 2017
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2018-5128
DOI 10.3133/sir20185128
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Central Midwest Water Science Center
Description Report: xii, 73 p.; Data Release
Country United States
State Illinois
City Lemont
Other Geospatial Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details