The first step in preparing the flow meter is to make sure that the spinning bucket apparatus is unlocked. Rotate the brass nut so that it moves toward the spinning buckets, away from the mount. After use, make sure that the brass nut is rotated back towards the mount, locking the buckets to prevent damage to the pivot mechanism.

There are several steps that must be followed to properly attach the flow meter to the wading rod. First, the flow meter is attached by unscrewing small screw near the mount end of the meter. Next, the meter slips on the wading rod so that the brass screw on the meter is underneath the spinning buckets. Third, the small screw near the mount end of the meter is tightened so that the meter is securely fastened to the top-set rod, and finally the wire that is fastened to the base of the top-set rod must be connected to the top connection on the meter.

Step 4. Screw the wire under the TOP nut of the double screw mechanism on the flow meter. This wire will transmit the number of bucket rotations to the top set rod so that the electronic display can calculate a velocity.

This one is about as simple as it gets. Just plug the connector from the electronic display to connection on the top of the top set rod.

The depth of the stream at each measurement point is read in feet and tenths of feet. For example 5.9' is not 5'9", it is actually closer to 5'11". The measurement is made by looking at the markings on the hexagonal section of the top-set rod.

The wading rod is graduated in tenths of feet. Every single line is 1/10 of a foot, every double line is 1/2 of a foot, and every triple line is 1 foot. The image above shows the single lines, a double line (immediately left of the black wire connection), and a triple line (near the top of the image).

The image above shows the water depth of 1.1 feet (water is splashing up to 1.2 feet, but the water level is at 1.1 feet). Note that the water level is one single line (1/10 of a foot) above the first triple line (1 foot - the line is blurry beneath the water surface).

Using the image above that shows the water depth at 1.1 feet, the gager must obtain a velocity measurement at 0.6D (or 0.66'). This top-set rod is designed to allow the gager to quickly place the flow meter at a depth of 0.6D.

First, place the meter in the water so that it faces upstream, into the current, as shown above.

Next, with the base of the top set rod firmly against the bottom of the stream, read the depth (1.1' in this image).

Next, set the flow meter at 0.6D with the top-set handle. Since the depth was 1.1' in this example, the flow meter is set to a depth of 0.6D (0.66') by squeezing the rubber stop on the handle with your thumb, and allowing the movement of the sliding rod so that the "1"on the sliding (skinny) rod is placed next to the "1" on the handle. The number on the skinny rod corresponds to the number of feet, and the number on the handle corresponds to the tenths of feet. If the depth was 1.4', then the "1" on the sliding/skinny rod would be placed next to the "4" on the handle. Once the sliding rod is properly placed, the meter will be placed at 0.6D below the water surface.

The average velocity is calculated over a 40-second time period. Once the electronic display is powered up (press the "ON" button), simply pressing "START" will begin the data collection. After 40 seconds, the average velocity will be displayed.

The depth of the water in the image above is 1.7' (3 single lines below the second triple line - with water splashing up to 1.8'). Since the depth is greater than 1.5', then velocity measurements must be taken at 0.2D and 0.8D. The top-set rod allows quick setting of the meter at these two depths

The 0.2D measurement is taken by placing the flow meter so that the sliding rod is set at 1/2 the depth. Since the depth is 1.7', the 0.2D measurement is taken by setting the handle to read at 0.85 (or by placing the "0" on the sliding rod to between the "8" and the "9" on the handle, as shown above). Press the "START" button and measure the average velocity over a 40-second period as shown above.

The 0.8D measurement is taken by placing the flow meter so that the sliding rod is set at twice the depth. Since the depth is 1.7', the 0.8D measurement is taken by setting the handle to read at 3.4' (or by placing the "3" on the sliding rod next to the "4" on the handle, as shown above. Press the "START" button and measure the average velocity over a 40-second period as shown above.

The average velocity for this subsection would be the average of the 0.2D and 0.8D readings.

1. Make sure you are not squeezing the hexagonal and round rods together on the top-set rod!

2. Check the wire and confirm that it is properly connected between the base of the top-set rod and the meter.

3. Make sure the buckets are spinning properly (check the brass nut and make sure it is in the "open" position).

4. Make sure all connections between the display and the top set rod are working properly.

1. Make sure that you are not standing in a position that affects the stream flow near the meter.

2. Check for weeds, branches, rocks or drifting debris that could interfere with the meter.

3. Check all connections between the meter and the display.