Stream Gaging - Q Boat

The Iowa Water Science Center has recently acquired an Ocean Science Q-Boat, which is a remote control boat for making streamflow measurements with ADCPs. The current model is used in situations where surface velocities are 5 ft/sec. (3.4 mph) or less. The boat enables both the boat operator and laptop user to stay completely off bridges. Some bridges pose a threat to the safety of the personnel on the bride because of small shoulders and high traffic volumes. The Q-Boat eliminates this problem. It also allows for streamflow measurements to be made at locations other than at bridges. Sometimes poor river cross sections are located in the vicinity of a bridge, such as reverse flow or ponded conditions. The Q-Boat can be driven away from the bridge to a cross section that is more ideal.