Acoustic Doppler Profiler (Trimaran Ocean Science)

 

The Trimaran is a rugged, stable, corrosion-resistant tethered boat for easy measurement of discharge with ADPs. The Trimaran is capable of operation in very high flows. Tests at a United States government tow tank indicated stability with low drag at speeds up to 16 fps (4.9 m/s), which is the highest speed towed. It’s been used successfully in the field at speeds of 15 fps (4.6 m/s). ADPs transmit sound into the water and receive reflected sound (echoes) from particles suspended in the water. The frequency shift between the transmitted sound and echoes is used to compute the velocities of the particles and the water in which they are suspended. ADPs measure boat speed and direction by tracking the river bottom, and they are able to compensate for the boat movement in the computation of water velocities.