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Evidence Guide: NWP421A - Collect, measure and process hydrometric stream discharge gauging

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

NWP421A - Collect, measure and process hydrometric stream discharge gauging

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Identify flow gauging.

  1. Identify stream discharge and factors affecting accuracy.
  2. Identify the purposes of gauging and gaugingmethodologies.
  3. Identify the area velocitymethods for calculating discharge.
  4. Identify hazards and hazard management principles according to occupational health and safety requirements.
Identify stream discharge and factors affecting accuracy.

Completed
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Identify the purposes of gauging and gaugingmethodologies.

Completed
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Identify the area velocitymethods for calculating discharge.

Completed
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Identify hazards and hazard management principles according to occupational health and safety requirements.

Completed
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Collect depth and velocity data.

  1. Take measurements during gauging following occupational health and safety procedures.
  2. Select verticals for measurement of velocity.
  3. Select suitable gauging equipment according to the conditions of the location, assignment and client requirements and gauging site conditions.
  4. Prepare the equipment and gauging site.
  5. Apply a range of suitable and alternative methods for obtaining the mean velocity in a vertical.
  6. Apply the mid section and mean section methods.
  7. Position the current meter according to guidelines.
  8. Select the appropriate discharge measurement method.
  9. Calculate the depth settings and point velocity using required mathematical techniques.
Take measurements during gauging following occupational health and safety procedures.

Completed
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Select verticals for measurement of velocity.

Completed
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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select suitable gauging equipment according to the conditions of the location, assignment and client requirements and gauging site conditions.

Completed
Date:

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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare the equipment and gauging site.

Completed
Date:

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Apply a range of suitable and alternative methods for obtaining the mean velocity in a vertical.

Completed
Date:

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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apply the mid section and mean section methods.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Position the current meter according to guidelines.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select the appropriate discharge measurement method.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculate the depth settings and point velocity using required mathematical techniques.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculate discharge.

  1. Apply corrections for oblique flows and drift angles.
  2. Calculate the mean velocity for each vertical.
  3. Calculate the area and discharge corresponding to each sub-section.
  4. Calculate the discharge using the mid section and mean section method.
  5. Calculate and record the mean stage and rate of change.
  6. Calculate the channel storage and time of travel effects.
Apply corrections for oblique flows and drift angles.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
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Calculate the mean velocity for each vertical.

Completed
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Calculate the area and discharge corresponding to each sub-section.

Completed
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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Calculate the discharge using the mid section and mean section method.

Completed
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Calculate and record the mean stage and rate of change.

Completed
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Calculate the channel storage and time of travel effects.

Completed
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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report discharge readings.

  1. Compare the discharge measurements with the current rating.
  2. Record the percentage deviation from the rating.
  3. Grade and record the gauging quality with interpretation comments.
  4. Gather supporting information from the site and document accurately according to organisation requirements.
  5. Enter gauging into ratings database according to organisation requirements.
Compare the discharge measurements with the current rating.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record the percentage deviation from the rating.

Completed
Date:

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Grade and record the gauging quality with interpretation comments.

Completed
Date:

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Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gather supporting information from the site and document accurately according to organisation requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enter gauging into ratings database according to organisation requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to collect data using a range of discharge measuring methods and equipment including:

measuring and calculating readings

interpreting and reporting data for a range of clients and stakeholders

gathering data related to client requirements

interpreting complex documentation and applying it to the specification of hydrometric data collection and reporting procedures

sampling accurately and consistently with client requirements

analysing and verifying data using standard procedures, software and databases

preparing clear and accurate reports

storing and archiving data

identifying, reporting and (within scope of job function) solving potential or current problems.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in the workplace

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

relevant codes, standards, and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when indicated by gaps in competency.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence require that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills:

use area velocity method

assess hazards and apply relevant precautions and action

estimate and explain the anticipated vertical distribution

make calculations on depth and velocity

maintain the integrity of measurements

use a range of suitable techniques to accurately determine mean stage in rapidly changing situations

adjust measurements correctly

plot discharge measurements on organisation's preferred scale

use formulae for determining the percentage deviation

use computing system and software to transfer calculated flows to office database

assemble and test metering equipment

check operation of equipment

check gauging section

set tag lines

prepare gauging section.

Required knowledge:

principles of discharge measurement

methods for calculating mean velocity in a vertical

methods for determining the cross sectional area at a site

alternative methods of discharge measurement

the organisation's operating procedures for hydrometric stream discharge measurement

the timing, location and number of verticals for stage readings

the characteristics of a suitable section for wading and boat gauging and how to make modifications

requirements for surface, single and multipoint floats

basic mathematical principles for area and velocity measurements

correction procedures for horizontal angles

correction procedures for suspension measurements

techniques for monitoring stage changes during discharge measurement

weighted mean stage calculations

discharge and mean stage adjustment

technical components in calculating discharge

factors impacting on discharge measurements and the quality of the discharge

formulae to adjust gaugings

potential impacts of modifications of site, method or equipment on discharge accuracy

confidence limits

function of each field on the measurement forms

the organisation's registration procedures

calibration procedures

OHS procedures, safe operation of equipment and identification of potential hazards.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Factors affecting accuracy may include:

laminar flow

turbulent flow

critical states

sensitivity

pulsing

backwater.

Gauging methodologies may include:

wading

travellerway

cableway

boat

bridge

portable flume

float

acoustic profiler.

Area velocity method may include:

AS 3778 - Measurement of Water Flow in Open Channels:

velocity-area methods

measurement by current-meters and floats

operating procedures for discharge measuring equipment and calibration.

Hazards may include:

boat handling

bed stability

winch operation

tag line setting

traffic management

working at heights

manual handling

personal protective equipment (PPE).

Occupational health and safety requirements will include:

hazard recognition:

working on and near water

safe working depth

bank and bed stability

rising stage

snags

floating debris

water temperature

water contamination

weather exposure

rescue procedures

PPE requirements:

onsite communication and procedures for working remotely

equipment

storage

assembly

cleaning

handling, transport

personal welfare and safety:

medical constraints

CPR

First Aid

water survival and rescue

self rescue

bush survival

4WD driving and recovery

defensive driving

boat handling

traffic management authority regulations.

Gauging equipment may include:

winch

travellerway

cableway

boat

vehicle

trolley mount

mechanical & acoustic meters

oil change

calibration.

Gauging site conditions may include:

hazards

obstructions

climatic

sufficient depth

sufficient velocity

flow angle

laminar flow

bank condition

anabranches and multiple channels

pre-season maintenance.

Alternative methods may include:

volumetric

flumes

slope/area techniques

dilution.

Required mathematical techniques will include:

area

volume

mean

suitable formulae

trigonometry.

Percentage deviation will be determined by:

checking:

calculations

equipment

control

recording equipment

repeat measurement.

Supporting information will include:

gauging section location and access maps

photographic records

site preparation undertaken

comments on issues encountered.

Organisational requirements will include:

data management and reporting

worksite procedures

occupational health and safety procedures

operating procedures.