IMPROVING ESTIMATES OF STREAMBED WETTED PERIMETER FROM UAV: A SYSTEM FOR THE REMOTE QUANTIFICATION OF STREAM DISCHARGE

Stream discharge is a critical field parameter in hydrologic studies, yet can be a costly measurement to make in terms of money and time. The latest advancement in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) has given opportunity for scientist to use video particle tracking software to quantify stream discharge more accurately. When using image-based software to quantify stream discharge, accuracy of the stream stage and the resultant wetted perimeter can be called into question. The stage within streams fluctuate every day, which completely changes the streams discharge. The quantification of the wetted perimeter is a critical measurement when calculating surface water discharge. An easy, cost effective, and accurate method to measure the stream stage as it fluctuates throughout the day is by inserting a stream staff. In addition, with the use of a GPS we can determine the bathymetry of the stream and further calculate the wetted perimeter to determine streams discharge more precisely. Finally, integrating the citizen science-based Crowd Hydrology gauge for hydrological research investigations can be applicable to get more accurate stage readings and further quantify stream discharge through time. Citizen scientist can be an advantage in providing the hydrologist data every day and can be very cost effective. The use of these methods to quantify stream discharge can advance the science of hydrology by giving hydrologists accurate and consistent data and reducing the cost and time spent in the field.