HOMS COMPONENT

MEASUREMENT OF TIME OF TRAVEL AND DISPERSION IN STREAMS BY DYE TRACING

1.   Purpose and objectives

     Measurements of the dispersion and concentration of dyes give insight into the behaviour of soluble contaminants that may be introduced into a stream.

2.   Description

     The manual (Hubbard and others, 1982) describes methods of measuring time of travel of water and waterborne solutes by dye tracing. The fluorescent dyes, measuring equipment used, and the field and laboratory procedures are also described. Methods of analysis and presentation to illustrate time-of-travel and dispersion characteristics of streams are provided.

3.   Input

     Dye is introduced at a site and measurements of dye concentrations are made at several locations downstream from the injection point.

4.   Output

     Travel time-distance relations, time-concentration curves and various graphs showing dispersion that allow the analyst to estimate the travel time of various pollutants.

5.   Operational requirements and restrictions

     Dyes should not be injected into streams in quantities that would result in dye concentrations exceeding 10 micrograms/litre at water-user withdrawal points. All water users in the reach should be notified.

6.   Form of presentation

     Manual, written in English, is available (Hubbard and others, 1982).

7.   Operational experience

     Extensive use within the United States.

8.   Originator and technical support

     U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Surface Water, Reston, Virginia, USA.

9.   Availability

     From the HOMS National Reference Centre for USA.

10.  Conditions on use

     The manual is available free of charge.

Reference

Hubbard, E. F., Kilpatrick, F. A., Martens, L. A., and Wilson, J. F., Jr., 1982, Measurement of time of travel and dispersion in stream by dye tracing: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources Investigations, Book 3, Chapter A9, 44 p.

Last updated: 29 NOV 94)
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