An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measures and records water velocities over a range of depths. Isodaq Technology source ADCPs from Teledyne RD Instruments who designed and delivered the industry's first ADCP in 1982. It is now an essential flow and discharge measurement tool.

We supply ADCPs to rivers authorities and regulators such as the Environment Agency (EA), Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), Office of Public Works (OPW) and Rivers Agency NI.

Our solutions include:

• Supply of equipment including real-time telemetry systems
• Feasibility, site survey and flow gauge design services
• Full check gauging, audit and field calibration services
• In-depth theoretical and field deployment training services

Key features:

• Reduces the cost of gauging work
• Easy to use with only brief training required
• Increases safety as you do not have to be in the water
• Informative by revealing the velocity structure of each section in detail
• Superior accuracy and rapid measurement over traditional gauging methods
• Completes records by continuously measuring many levels and depth during the crossing.

After a sound burst is emitted by the ADCP, echoes are returned from the particles carried by currents and from the streambed.  By analysing these, the ADCPs unique four-beam configuration makes simultaneous measurements:

1. Speed and direction of water currents - determined at many levels through water depth (current profile)
2. Speed overground and path of travel are revealed by echoes scattered by the bed
3. Water depth is measured
4. A map of the spatial distribution of sediments carried by the water comes from the echoes.

The difference in frequencies is measured to high accuracy in numerous bins or cells across the river in either a vertical, horizontal or both directions, and velocity is then calculated.