Flow Measurement

The current State Coastal Conservancy Prop 1 grant and the Pilot Project both include flow monitoring by Thomas Gast Associates Environmental Consultants at several locations within Tenmile Creek to collect baseline and trend data for adaptive management.  In the Pilot Project, gages were located on lower Tenmile Creek, Tenmile at former USSG gage site, Streeter Creek, and Big Rock Creek.  The latter two were compared to USGS Elder Creek data and the U.S. EPA Velma model allowed calculation of what historic flows might have been in Streeter and Big Rock creeks before disturbance.  A flow gage was added in Mill Creek, above Little Case Creek, and data from Cahto Creek collected by the Cahto Tribe will be utilized to make a comparison between Elder Creek and these two streams and watersheds, again using the VELMA model (see Modeling and Water Budget).

TGAEC uses Onset Instruments’ high-accuracy, pressure-based water level data loggers. They feature research-grade accuracy and are easy to use. The Hobo Water Level Logger also measures water temperature and barometric pressure. Once a water reference level is established, associated HOBOware Pro software automatically converts pressure readings into water level readings, including compensation for water temperature, barometric pressure, and fluid density automatically.