Review of Discharge Measurements and Rating Equations on the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers since 1962

Contributors

Arthur Schmidt;Nam Jeong Choi, Scott Banjavcic

Abstract

Discharge measurements and rating equations from the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers since 1962 were reviewed, described and assessed in terms of their precision and uncertainty. The rating equations presently used for calculating flows in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers were developed, for the most part, using a few hundred mechanical current meter flow measurements made before 1986. An alternative approach to calculating flow in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers using HEC-RAS models and a new modeling approach was proposed. Hydraulic Performance Graphs (HPGs) were developed and used to recreate a historical record of past flows in this river system, and the uncertainty in the flows estimated from these revised ratings was assessed, and comparisons were made to existing rating equations.

Reports:

St. Clair - Detroit River Flow Measurement & Rating Review

Viewable Data:

St. Clair River Discharge Measurements (1962-2006)

Detroit River Discharge Measurements (1962-2006)

St. Clair - Detroit River HPG Flows

Models:

HEC-RAS Software (Link)

St. Clair River HEC-RAS Models (Giovannettone)

St. Clair & Detroit River HPGs

Additional Data and Information

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Supporting Content (Show)

Main Topics

- St. Clair River

Questions We Asked

- What's causing the declining head difference?

- Has St. Clair conveyance changed, and if so, what were the causes?

Key Findings

- St. Clair River has changed, accounting for 7-14 cm of total head decline

- Evidence suggests St. Clair erosion is not ongoing, but causes remain unknown

Recommendations

- Remedial measures should not be taken in the St. Clair

Tasks

- St. Clair River Hydraulics Analysis