How We Measured Discharge and Water Quality on the Mississippi—Autonomously

May 07, 2026

This webinar explores how advanced technology is improving river gauging and water quality monitoring, with a focus on real-world applications on the Mississippi River. Presenters discuss the importance of accurate discharge measurements, the evolution of gauging methods, and the challenges field teams face when collecting reliable data in dynamic river conditions.

The session highlights the SURF-B FloDuet autonomous vessel, including its dual-sensor capabilities, GPS integration, and autonomous navigation features that support accurate, repeatable measurements. The webinar also reviews ADCP data analysis using RSQ software, the value of GNSS heading for improving measurement quality, and the integration of EXO with SURF-B Nexus for real-time data logging and visualization.

Viewers will also learn how flow and water quality monitoring can work together through new technologies, including an integrated winch system for comprehensive water column profiling. The webinar concludes with a live Q&A addressing audience questions.

Learn more on the SonTek-RS5, SonTek-M9, YSI EXO Sonde page!