Using CFD modelling to investigate gravel build-up at Featherstone gauging station
Gravel build-up around a gauging station weir can influence how accurately river flow is measured. Discover how we applied a 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model at Featherstone gauging station on the River South Tyne to assess its impact on the relationship between water level and flow.
Gravel had accumulated around the weir at Featherstone gauging station, raising concerns that it could affect how river flows are calculated from water level measurements. As the station plays an important role in flood forecasting, it was vital to understand whether these natural changes were affecting the results.
- Client: Environment Agency
- Location: River South Tyne, Northumberland
- Services
Assessing the impact of gravel deposition on gauging performance
Rather than removing the gravel, the Environment Agency wanted to know whether they could "learn to live with" these ongoing changes in the river channel by balancing the ecological benefits of the gravel deposits with the need for reliable flow monitoring.
Using drone survey data and in-channel measurements, we developed a 3D CFD model to test how existing, dredged and future channel conditions would affect the gauging station's rating curve.
The study found that the predicted rating curves for all tested channel conditions remained within approximately ±7% of the existing rating curve, demonstrating that the gravel deposits had only a limited effect on the gauging station's performance.
CFD modelling also indicated that, even if the channel were dredged, gravel would be likely to re-accumulate during relatively modest flow events, making repeated removal an unsustainable long-term solution.
Balancing ecological benefits with flood monitoring requirements
Our findings gave the Environment Agency confidence that natural channel changes could be accommodated without intervention while maintaining reliable flow measurements for flood forecasting and warning. This avoided unnecessary environmental disturbance to valuable river habitats and potential eel passage benefits associated with the gravel deposits.
The combination of drone surveying and CFD modelling also provided a safe and cost-effective alternative to repeated field surveys and high-flow gauging.
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