ASTM D5413-21

Standard Test Methods for Measurement of Water Levels in Open-Water Bodies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are used to determine the gauge height or elevation of a river or other body of water above a given datum.  
4.2 Water level data can serve as an easily recorded parameter, and through use of a stage-discharge relation provide an indirect value of stream discharge, often at a gauging station.  
4.3 These test methods can be used in conjunction with other determinations of biological, physical, or chemical properties of waters.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover equipment and procedures used in obtaining water levels of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs or other water bodies. Three types of equipment are available as follows:    
Test Method A—Nonrecording water-level measurement devices  
Test Method B—Recording water-level measurement devices  
Test Method C—Remote-interrogation water-level measurement devices  
1.2 The procedures detailed in these test methods are widely used by those responsible for investigations of streams, lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries, for example, the U.S. Agricultural Research Service, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the U.S. Geological Survey.2 The referenced ISO standard also furnishes useful information.  
1.3 It is the responsibility of the user of these test methods to determine the acceptability of a specific device or procedure to meet operational requirements. Compatibility between sensors, recorders, retrieval equipment, and operational systems is necessary, and data requirements and environmental operating conditions must be considered in equipment selection.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.07 - Sediments, Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D5413 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
Measurement of Water Levels in Open-Water Bodies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5413; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 These test methods cover equipment and procedures
used in obtaining water levels of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs or
2. Referenced Documents
other water bodies. Three types of equipment are available as
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
follows:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
Test MethodA—Nonrecording water-level measurement devices
D1941 Test Method for Open Channel Flow Measurement
Test Method B—Recording water-level measurement devices
of Water with the Parshall Flume
Test Method C—Remote-interrogation water-level measurement devices
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2 Theproceduresdetailedinthesetestmethodsarewidely
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
used by those responsible for investigations of streams, lakes,
D5242 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
reservoirs, and estuaries, for example, the U.S. Agricultural
of Water with Thin-Plate Weirs
Research Service, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the
4
2 2.2 ISO Standard:
U.S. Geological Survey. The referenced ISO standard also
ISO 4373 Measurement of Liquid Flow in Open Channels—
furnishes useful information.
Water Level Measuring Devices
1.3 It is the responsibility of the user of these test methods
3. Terminology
to determine the acceptability of a specific device or procedure
to meet operational requirements. Compatibility between
3.1 Definitions:
sensors, recorders, retrieval equipment, and operational sys-
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
tems is necessary, and data requirements and environmental
Terminology D1129.
operating conditions must be considered in equipment selec-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
tion.
3.2.1 elevation, n—the vertical distance from a datum to a
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
point.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3.2.2 datum, n—a level plane that represents a zero or some
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
defined elevation.
and are not considered standard.
3.2.3 gauge, n—a generic term that includes water level
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
measuring devices.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.2.4 gauge datum, n—a datum whose surface is at the zero
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
elevation of all the gauges at a gauging station; this datum is
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
often at a known elevation referenced to National Geodetic
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD).
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- 3.2.5 gauge height, n—the height of a water surface above
an established or arbitrary datum at a particular gauging
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- station; also termed stage.
3.2.6 gauging station, n—a particular site on a stream,
canal, lake, or reservoir where systematic observations of
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
hydrologic data are obtained.
Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
3
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published January 2022. Originally For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5413 – 93 (2013). contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
DOI: 10.1520/D5413-21. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
2
Sauer, V. B., and Turnipseed, D. P., “Stage Measurement at Gauging Stations,” the ASTM website.
4
Techniques of Water Resources Investigations, Book 3, ChapterA-7, U.S. Geologi- Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
cal Survey, 2010. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright ©ASTM Interna
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D5413 − 93 (Reapproved 2013) D5413 − 21
Standard Test Methods for
1
Measurement of Water Levels in Open-Water Bodies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5413; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 These test methods cover equipment and procedures used in obtaining water levels of rivers, lakes, and reservoirs or other
water bodies. Three types of equipment are available as follows:
Test Method A—Nonrecording water-level measurement devices
Test Method B—Recording water-level measurement devices
Test Method C—Remote-interrogation water-level measurement devices
1.2 The procedures detailed in these test methods are widely used by those responsible for investigations of streams, lakes,
reservoirs, and estuaries, for example, the U.S. Agricultural Research Service, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the U.S.
2
Geological Survey. The referenced ISO standard also furnishes useful information.
1.3 It is the responsibility of the user of these test methods to determine the acceptability of a specific device or procedure to meet
operational requirements. Compatibility between sensors, recorders, retrieval equipment, and operational systems is necessary, and
data requirements and environmental operating conditions must be considered in equipment selection.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology,
and Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013Nov. 1, 2021. Published January 2013January 2022. Originally approved in 1993. Last previous edition approved in 20072013 as
D5413 – 93 (2007).(2013). DOI: 10.1520/D5413-93R13.10.1520/D5413-21.
2
Buchanan, T. J., and Somers, W. P., “Stage Measurement at Gauging Stations,” Techniques of Water Resources Investigations, Book 3, Chapter A-7, U.S. Geological
Survey, 1968.Sauer, V. B., and Turnipseed, D. P., “Stage Measurement at Gauging Stations,” Techniques of Water Resources Investigations, Book 3, Chapter A-7, U.S.
Geological Survey, 2010.
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D5413 − 21
D1941 Test Method for Open Channel Flow Measurement of Water with the Parshall Flume
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D5242 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement of Water with Thin-Plate Weirs
4
2.2 ISO Standard:
ISO 4373 Measurement of Liquid Flow in Open Channels—Water Level Measuring Devices
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions: For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 elevation—elevation, n—the vertical distance from a datum to a point.
3.2.2 datum—datum, n—a level plane that represents a zero or some defined elevation.
3.2.3 gauge—gauge, n—a generic term that inclu
...