Stream Gauging is a lab within the Hydrology course taken by Environmental and Water Resources Engineering students. Early in the fall semester, students enter the stream, taking 30 measurements of depth and velocity to measure the discharge (or flow) at a particular point. Engineers will use this stream data when building structures like bridges, so they know how strong they need to design it. Gathering this data can also be very useful when comparing to historical stream data, and as a forecast to potential drought and flooding situations. Stream flow is the only part of the water cycle that can be accurately measured.
