Chapter XVIII: Appendix: G

GAUGES.

(See Chap. III., Arts. 2 and 3; also see _Hydraulics_, Chap. VIII., Art. 5, and Appendix H.)

1. The gauge should be placed on that bank and facing in that direction which enables it to be most conveniently read by the gauge reader and by officials passing the place.

2. The gauge should be of enamelled iron secured by copper screws to a post of squared and seasoned wood which is either driven beforehand[64] into the channel or spiked to a masonry work. Even in the deepest channel a long enough post can be arranged for. A masonry pillar is not necessary. The post may be rectangular in cross-section, with upstream and downstream edges cut sharp. This prevents, or greatly reduces, the heaping up of water at the upstream side and the formation of a hollow downstream. If the “Ward” gauge of two vertical planks is used, the planks should meet at an acute angle, not a right angle, and not be wider than 7 inches each.

[64] Driving after the gauge is attached may loosen or break the
screws.

3. The top of the gauge should be slightly above the highest probable water-level. The post should extend up to the top of the gauge.

4. If ever the graded bed of the channel is altered the zero of the gauge should be altered. There may be some risk of confusion at first, but it can be avoided by exercising due care and making notes. The levels of the old and new zeros should be recorded.

5. A gauge at a distance from the bank is objectionable. It collects jungle, cannot be properly read, and is liable to be damaged by floating logs or boats. A gauge should be as near as possible to one bank or the other. If the bank is vertical, the gauge should be quite close to it. If, owing to silt deposit, the gauge is dry at low supply, the deposit can be removed by the gauge reader.

6. Every regulator should be given a name, generally that of a neighbouring village and not that of a channel, and the gauge book headings should be drawn up in an intelligent and systematic manner. Each main channel should be entered in order, and each regulator on the channel--together with the head gauges of all channels which take off there--should be entered, commencing from upstream. A specimen is given on page 109. Thus the head gauge of any branch appears in the register of the main channel from which it takes off, other gauges on the branch appearing in the register for the branch. And similarly as regards a distributary which has gauges other than the head gauge.

7. Each gauge reader should be supplied with a register, each page having, besides the counterfoil, as many detachable slips--marked off by perforations--as there are officials--usually the Subdivisional Officer, zilladar and suboverseer--to whom daily gauge reports are to be sent. The titles and addresses of these officials are printed on the backs of the respective slips. The slips and counterfoil have printed on them a form--similar to part of the specimen shown on page 109--showing the names of all the gauges read by that particular gauge reader, so that he has merely to fill in the date and readings, tear off the slips and despatch them. The posting of the register in the subdivision is facilitated if each gauge has a number and if the corresponding numbers are printed--besides the names--on the gauge slips. If the gauge reader does not know English, the headings of the slips are printed in the vernacular. If the gauge readings are telegraphed, there may be only one slip--besides the counterfoil--which is sent to the telegraph signaller.