Measurement of river surface currents using rough surface scattering

Simple Bragg scattering is often the type of rough surface scattering applicable to rivers. Thus the center frequency of the Doppler spectrum provides information on the velocity of the surface of the river. We have developed a simple continuous wave microwave system called Riverscat to take advantage of this effect to measure river surface currents. Measurements with this velocity sensor show that surface velocity is well related to the depth of the river. Therefore on unstable streams where the bottom changes either at the measurement site or downstream of it, Riverscat offers the potential for improved monitoring of stream discharge.