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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Review individual measurements
   • Identify monitoring objectives of site and stage discharge ratings requirements.
   • Review historical discharge measurements, time series data and stage discharge rating curves and compare against expected trends.
   • Use standard processes and software to check, edit and verify field data.
   • Correct and adjust inconsistent data.
2. Develop rating curves
   • Analyse existing measurements to establish trends and compare with existing ratings.
   • Identify events at monitoring site that can affect stage discharge curve.
   • Identify sources of error in ratings.
   • Prepare rating curves based on measurements, agreed formulae and mathematical techniques, under a variety of hydraulic conditions and control types.
   • Confirm and verify existing trend or define new trend.
   • Develop rating curves that comply with industry and client requirements.
   • Use theoretical methods to create or extend ratings.
   • Document processes and observations to provide traceability and accountability for quality assurance.
   • Apply standard formulae to create ratings for pre-calibrated measuring structures.
   • Apply quality codes to rating curves.
3. Maintain rating curves
   • Confirm accuracy of rating curves using recent measurements and review trends and rating applicability.
   • Develop rating curves based on new information from reviews and changed conditions.
   • Retrieve and analyse current, historic and trend data using appropriate mathematical techniques.
   • Document processes, observations and adjustments made.
4. Report rating curves
   • Prepare and store required archival data to guarantee data security.
   • Prepare and disseminate ratings in accordance with client requirements.
   • Make recommendations for future observations.
5. Review individual measurements
   • Identify monitoring objectives of site and stage discharge ratings requirements.
   • Review historical discharge measurements, time series data and stage discharge rating curves and compare against expected trends.
   • Use standard processes and software to check, edit and verify field data.
   • Correct and adjust inconsistent data.
6. Develop rating curves
   • Analyse existing measurements to establish trends and compare with existing ratings.
   • Identify events at monitoring site that can affect stage discharge curve.
   • Identify sources of error in ratings.
   • Prepare rating curves based on measurements, agreed formulae and mathematical techniques, under a variety of hydraulic conditions and control types.
   • Confirm and verify existing trend or define new trend.
   • Develop rating curves that comply with industry and client requirements.
   • Use theoretical methods to create or extend ratings.
   • Document processes and observations to provide traceability and accountability for quality assurance.
   • Apply standard formulae to create ratings for pre-calibrated measuring structures.
   • Apply quality codes to rating curves.
7. Maintain rating curves
   • Confirm accuracy of rating curves using recent measurements and review trends and rating applicability.
   • Develop rating curves based on new information from reviews and changed conditions.
   • Retrieve and analyse current, historic and trend data using appropriate mathematical techniques.
   • Document processes, observations and adjustments made.
8. Report rating curves
   • Prepare and store required archival data to guarantee data security.
   • Prepare and disseminate ratings in accordance with client requirements.
   • Make recommendations for future observations.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

collecting, storing, archiving and analysing data

applying mathematical modelling and analytical tools

interpreting and applying technical documentation to the collection, analysis and reporting of hydrometric data

identifying and addressing potential or actual operational problems

recording information

interpreting a range of organisational documents

using computer systems to create ratings

using remote work communication systems

checking hydrographic data for correctness and accuracy in preparation for creating ratings

identifying characteristics of ratings appropriate to various cross-section types and flow

identifying errors in rating, and incorrect and impossible ratings

adjusting gaugings, hydrograph trace and ratings to a common datum

creating ratings manually using various methods and for standard measuring structures

developing rating techniques to handle seasonal rating changes

identifying the possibilities and limitations of scale models for generating ratings

identifying and recognising causes of progressive, cyclical and sudden rating changes

identifying backwater-affected stations and using techniques to rate them

identifying gradual stream changes and adopting rating techniques

identifying short-term rating changes, their causes and means of correctly processing them

applying Student’s t-test to determine whether a new rating is required

drawing an accurate rating by hand

fitting a rating curve using a number of mathematical techniques available in relevant software packages

identifying gross errors in ratings and the data used to compile them

applying appropriate quality codes to a rating

identifying the elements of a stream bed and channel that affect ratings

estimating channel roughness from photographs

calculating the overall roughness coefficient of a channel consisting of a number of elements

using graphical logarithmic methods to extend a rating

identifying appropriate sections to use for slope-area flow calculations

calculating flow rates manually using a set of cross-sections and a long-section

using a spreadsheet to perform calculations

calculating flow rates through and over various structures

establishing relationships between variables including stage versus flow and conductivity versus salinity

gathering and interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the development and maintenance of rating curves

identifying, reporting and providing solutions to a range of flow conditions

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

mathematical and other scientific techniques relevant to the analysis of hydrographic data

Student’s t-test

elements of a stream bed and channel that affect the rating

relationship between Chezy and Manning roughness coefficients

computer software relevant to the analysis and archiving of hydrographic data

the basis of statistical goodness of fit tests

WHS procedures

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