In this study, dilution discharge method to measure streamflow using water quality
data at small streams during low flow season was applied and compared with the
conventional method using flowmeter combined with cross-sectional measurement.
Streamflow were measured using both methods in Dal-cheon around Naesok Wastewater
Treatment plant located in Boeun, Chugbuk. This stream is reported to suffer from
excessive algal growth in spring. An average flowrate difference of 0.004㎥/sec was
obtained between the two methods. Once further tested for various conditions, the
simple water quality method suggested in this study can be used effectively to estimate
stream flowrates during low flow seasons where no measuring facilities such as weirs
and flowmeters are not available or water depths are too small to measure flow
velocities and exact cross-sections.
