Streamflow data collected by the wading method, Pinnacles National Park, California, 2018

This dataset includes streamflow measurements collected at six sites in Pinnacles National Park during 2018. Data collection occurred at times when the streamflow did not include runoff from precipitation. The wading method was used to measure streamflow (Nolan, K.M. and Shields, R.R., 2000, Measurement of stream discharge by wading, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 2000-4036, 106 p.). By this method, the stream channel cross section is divided into subsections. For each subsection, a tape measure is used to measure the distance from the left stream bank (as facing downstream), a wading rod is used to measure the channel depth, and a velocity meter attached to the wading rod is used to measure the water velocity. For shallow stream depths, such as those at the six measurement sites, velocity is typically measured at a position that is 60 percent of the total water depth. The volumetric streamflow rate for each subsection is calculated as the product of the width, depth, and velocity of the subsection. The width of each subsection extends from the depth measurement to points that are halfway to the preceding and following depth measurement points along the stream transect. The total flow rate is calculated as the sum of the flow rates over all subsections. Total flow rates at the six sites are small, ranging from 0.06 to 0.17 cubic feet per second. These rates are considered approximate because of the non-ideal stream channel conditions at some sites and the low stream velocities.