SRP hydrologists, pilots, and welders came together to build and install a hydrologic flume that will provide more accurate measurements of the water in the Verde River watershed that eventually ends up being delivered to Valley homes and businesses.
SRP made modifications to a purchased 650-pound aluminum flume which will provide a measurement of how much water is flowing at that point in time in that area. SRP engineers designed an add-on heater and metal fabricators welded the device to the flume. The heater will melt snow and ice during the area’s winter and spring freeze-and-thaw cycles allowing for more accurate measurements.
The welders also added modifications to allow the flume that measures about 10.5 feet by nine feet to be hoisted by a helicopter and lowered to the installation site, which is nearly impossible to reach by ground.
This is the first of its kind for SRP and hydrologists will monitor the flume closely to see if it can be replicated in other areas of SRP’s 13,000 square mile watershed.
The flume is just one of a number of ways SRP hydrologists carefully measure inflows into the Valley from the Salt and Verde rivers’ watersheds. After a productive winter in 2023 followed by a record dry runoff season last winter, SRP water experts know how much climate variability can impact the reservoirs that provide water to more than 2.5 million Valley residents.
“You can’t manage water if you don’t measure it,” said Zac Keller, Hydrographic Scientist, Water Measurement. “By managing it successfully, SRP is able to better respond to whatever the weather patterns bring to this area. Thanks to SRP’s water management, the reservoir system is in good shape.”
Along with better measurements for the reservoirs, SRP engineers are also working with Arizona State University graduate students to analyze the drainage area of the flume that is scheduled for forest thinning. By measuring the water yield before and after the thinning project, SRP will be able to identify the impacts of forest restoration projects.
The water measured by this flume will flow from Sycamore Creek to the Verde River and eventually the Valley.
