These pages provide information on hydroacoustic technology for users
in the USGS and other agencies. Since the early 1980s the USGS has
worked cooperatively with manufacturers to develop and enhance the use
of acoustic Doppler instruments for streamflow and other hydraulic
measurements. The Hydroacoustics Workgroup and the Hydrologic Networks Branch maintains these web pages to
provide updated information on hydroacoustics instruments and their use
within the USGS and elsewhere.
What's New?
New Hydroacoustics Webinars Available
Hydroacoustics Webinars are posted on the USGS Hydroacoustics Webinars Page.
HaWG December 2021 Internal Hydroacoustics Newsletter
USGS users - please email the HaWG for access to the newsletter.
SonTek Equipment Affected by Date/Time Reset Bug - *Firmware Fix Available*
An issue was discovered on August 13, 2018 that affects the internal clocks of RiverSurveyor M9/S5, HydroSurveyor, SonTek-SL (3G) and SonTek-IQ systems. If the “Set Time” software feature is enabled to sync the instrument time to the PC time, or to manually enter a different date/time, the clock will reset to January 2005. After that, the internal clock cannot be reset. The issue does not prevent systems from collecting data, but the date/time stamp will not be correct.
SonTek has released firmware that fixes this date/time reset issue.
The USGS has tested a beta version of this firmware release on more than a dozen different instruments. The firmware fixes the time/date reset issue but we have not collected field data to verify that all other features are still working as expected. It is recommended that you download and install the firmware but validate that the instrument is working properly by comparing collected data to some known reference (another ADCP, stable rating, etc.). PC Software updates are NOT required to use the new firmware.
The Most Current, Allowed firmware versions for Sontek instruments affected by this issue can be downloaded from the following links:
Note: In order for the firmware to function properly, users must be using RiverSurveyor Live v. 4.0 or greater, SL Software v. 3.0 or greater, and IQ Software version 2.0 or greater.
New Software/Firmware for SonTek SL
The USGS has worked cooperatively with SonTek to improve the SL3G software and firmware. Vesion 3 was release on 6/6/2018 and is now the recommended version. See the list of changes and improvements on the SonTek-SL Software Page.New Version of VMT
A new version of VMT was released on 7/15/2018. To see the list of changes and improvements and to download the software go to the VMT Software Page. Note: For USGS System Administrators VMT is available via SCCM.Firmware and Software Pages Updated
The firmware and software pages for Moving-Boat Deployments and Index Velocity have been updated. Several firmware updates will become the Required Minimum on 8/6/2018.Hydroacoustics Newsletters Available
The Hydroacoustics Workgroup has begun publishing a newsletter to provide updated information to field personnel.Access Newsletters.
Note: USGS Access Only
Highlighted Podcasts, Recorded Webinars, and other On-Demand Training
- Common Questions When Using ADCPs Under Ice- NEW!
- Prerequisite Material for the SW1319 - Streamflow Record Computation Using ADVMs and Index-Velocity Methods Training Course
- Minimum Requirements for Documenting Stage-Area & Index-Velocity Ratings
- USGS USGS HydroTube Training (Youtube)
Selected Papers of Interest
Estimating the Uncertainty of Streamgauging Techniques Using In Situ Collaborative Interlaboratory Experiments by Le Coz, J., Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 2016.Flow in bedrock canyons by Vendetti, J., et. al., Nature, 2014.
Estimating longitudinal dispersion in rivers using Acoustic Doppler Current Profilersby Shen, C., et.al. Published in Advances in Water Resources 33 (2010) 615–623.
extrap: Software to assist the selection of extrapolation methods for moving-boat ADCP streamflow measurements by David S. Mueller. Published in Computers & Geosciences, 2013.
Selected topics from the Hydroacoustics Community Forum.
Remote Desktop in the field with portable devices...Reasonable WinRiver thresholds for a StreamPro
Serial to USB adapters
Best Practices for Collecting Mid-section Discharge Measurements with ADCPs
Index-velocity rating and data synchronization Excel template
NOTE: You must be a registered member to view the posts. Register now and join the discussion. Detailed instructions on registering can be found at http://hydroacoustics.usgs.gov/software/Forum_Reg1.html.
