USDA United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Forest Service 

Rocky Mountain 

Research Station 

Fort Collins, 

Colorado 80526 

Stream Systems 

Technology Center 

General Technical 

Report RMRS-GTR-44 

February 2000 

A Ban k-Operated 

Traveling-Block Cableway 

for Stream Discharge and 

Sediment Measurements 

James J. Paradiso 
Paradiso, James J. 2000. A bank-operated traveling-block cableway for stream 

discharge and sediment measurements. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-44. 

Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain 

Research Station. 36p. 

Abstract 

Streams often present a challenge for collecting flow and sediment measurements on a 

year-round basis. Streams that can normally be waded become hazardous during 

seasonal flows, either endangering hydrographers or precluding data collection 

completely. A hand-operated cableway permits the accurate and safe collection of 

discharge and sediment data from the stream bank. This system provides a low-cost, 

safe alternative to cable cars or operation from bridges during high runoff. This 

publication describes the construction and use of a cableway system. Included are 

figures describing parts and dimensions, installation methods, and field operations. 

Keywords 

Stream discharge measurements, current meter measurements, suspended sediment 

measurements, bedload measurements, bank-operated cableway 

The Author 

Jim Paradiso works for the Nez Perce National Forest as a hydrologist on the Salmon 

River Ranger District in Idaho. He received his degree in Natural Resources 

Management at Colorado State University. 

Publisher 

Rocky Mountain Research Station 

Fort Collins, Colorado 

February 2000 

You may order additional copies of this publication by sending 

your mailing information in label form through one of the following 

media. Please send the publication title and number. 

Telephone (970) 498-1 392 

E-mail rschneiderQfs.fed.us 

FAX (970) 498-1 396 

Mailing Address Publications Distribution 

Rocky Mountain Research Station 

240 West Prospect Road 

Fort Collins, CO 80526-2098 

Cover drawing of the traveling-block cableway by J. VanDeWater. 
A Bank-Operated 

Traveling-Block Cableway 

for Stream Discharge and 

Sediment Measurements 

James J . Paradiso 

Contents -- 

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 

Equipment Needed ....................................................................................................... 2 

Design .............................................................................................................................. 3 

Other Designs in Use ................................................................................................. 5 

Cableway Site Selection .............................................................................................. 6 

Installation of Posts and Cableway ........................................................................... 7 

Cableway Calibration ................................................................................................... 9 

Cableway Operation ................................................................................................. 10 

Modifications ............................................................................................................... 13 

Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................... 14 

Literature Cited ........................................................................................................... 14 

Appendix A: Cableway Plans ................................................................................. 15 

Appendix 9: Supplies and Suppliers ..................................................................... 29 

Appendix C: Using the Bank-Operated Cableway ............................................ 31 

A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Land managers have a continuing need to measure streamflow and sediment, both 

in unaltered settings and for monitoring response to management activities. Collecting 

discharge and sediment data at high flows may be neglected in some situations. This 

may be due to safety considerations associated with wading, or due to a lack of bridges 

or other available structure crossing the stream. A hand-operated cableway with 

traveling block system has been used by the Nez Perce National Forest since 1977. 

These installations allow hydrographers to safely collect streamflow and sediment data 

during high flow conditions. Operated from the bank, this cableway system provides a 

safe, low-cost, and effective method to acquire year-round measurements. 

As river stage rises, safety of the hydrographer who collects data becomes an 

increasing concern. The common rule-of-thumb is to avoid wading in streams when 

the product of the depth (in feet) and the water velocity (in feet per second) exceeds 

10. The use of temporary bridges and platforms can reduce the risk of an accident 

occurring during in-stream measurements, but at the same time it may provide forest 

visitors with a hazardous setting. 

of these situations. 

The system in use on the 

Nez Perce National Forest 

consists of a looped cable 

stretched across a stream 

channel and suspended from 

two support posts that are 

permanently installed on 

opposite stream banks. The 

cable travels around a crankoperated drive on one bank and 

a pulley on the other end. This 

allows measurement equipment 

to be moved out over the 

desired location in the stream 

on a traveling block (Figure 1). 

This traveling block system has 

similar operating principles to 

the running skyline used in 

logging operations. Stream 

measurements are taken with 

much of the same equipment 

and methods that might be used 

with a bridge crane. Similar to 

data collected from other 

suspension systems, a degree of 

accuracy is lost in comparison to 

wading data. 

The system described in this paper helps avoid both 

Figure 1 : Cableway 

ready for 

discharge 

measurement. 

Current meter and 

weight are 

suspended from 

the traveling block 

on the sounding 

reel cable. 

(N. Gerhardt) 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

The system is generally applicable to streams less than 100 feet wide. This 

limitation is controlled by the cable length of the sounding reel used. Present 

installations on the Nez Perce National Forest are on 50-60 feet wide streams. Recent 

peak measurements recorded on these streams were a discharge of about 990 cfs 

(Rapid fiver, 5/16/96) and a velocity of 9.2 fps (Little Slate Creek, 5/16/97). 

While hand-operated cableway equipment described in this publication was not 

developed by the Nez Perce National Forest, its documentation is obscure. The U.S. 

Bureau of Reclamation's Water Measurement Manual ( 1967) contains a one paragraph 

description and photo of a similar cableway in operation, but little more. The British 

Department of the Environment, Water Data Unit (1978), has published a review of 

three portable winches designed for use with portable or permanent cableways. 

Described as portable, these winches weigh 80 to 160 pounds. 

Mechanical drawings of cableway systems from the Lolo National Forest (1979) 

and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (1976) are 

reproduced here, with slight modifications. 

Similar bank-operated cableway systems are in use across the country. A short 

summary of four of these systems is included for completeness. Each has advantages 

and disadvantages in ease of installation, ease of use, portability, and cost. The 

evaluation of these other systems is by no means comprehensive, as the author has no 

first- hand experience with their operation. 

The cableway is constructed of parts manufactured at a machine shop, with 

additional parts from a hardware store. Installation requires readily available 

construction supplies including concrete, cable, cable clamps, and turnbuckles. 

The cableway parts requiring fabrication are described in detail in construction 

plans contained in Appendix A. The posts and pulleys are steel and a majority of the 

remaining parts are made of aluminum to resist rust. 

Measurements are taken with standard stream gaging or sediment sampling 

equipment. Operation requires a sounding reel to raise and lower the equipment. 

Cable-suspended equipment could include a current meter with sounding weight, 

bedload sampler, or suspended sediment sampler, depending on the data desired. A 

list of suppliers and estimated costs is contained in Appendix B. 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

The cableway consists of six parts (Figure 2). An upright steel post is installed on 

each bank. On the shore with easy access, a pulley-drive housing is mounted atop the 

post. On the far shore the post supports a pulley, the tailhold. Operated with a hand 

crank, the pulley-drive controls the movement of a looped cable that is stretched between 

the posts. A traveling block rides on the upper cable loop and is attached to the lower 

cable loop. Suspended from this traveling block, the hydrographers' equipment may be 

positioned and operated anywhere in the cross section. 

Figure 2: Schematic of the cableway system with sounding reel and current meter in 

use. (1) near post with pulley drive housing, (2) sounding reel, (3) cableway cable, 

(4) sounding reel cable, (5) traveling block, (6) current meter, and (7) tailhold on far 

post. (J. VanDeWater) 
A Bank-O~erated Travelina-Block Cablewav for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

A standard sounding reel, such as an A-55 or B-56, is also attached to fittings on 

the near post (Figure 3). The cable from the sounding reel is used to suspend the 

measuring equipment, such as a current meter. The cable is supported by the lower 

pulley of the traveling block. Using the sounding reel, the equipment may be raised 

and lowered as needed for data collection. Thus, the horizontal position of the current 

meter is controlled by the cableway crank, while the vertical movement is controlled by 

the sounding reel. 

Figure 3: Key components of the cableway. Traveling block, sounding reel, 

and crank-pulley mechanism. (N. Gerhardt) 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

A lighter version cableway made with a boat winch is in use on the Clearwater and 

Idaho Panhandle National Forests in North Idaho. This installation is very 

inexpensive. A boat winch may be purchased for as little as $40.00 to replace the 

crank-pulley drive housing. The system is often attached to trees, rock or other 

available structures, reducing setup time. (Brooks Beegle, Clearwater National Forest, 

Orofino, ID) 

A completely portable system has been used by the U.S. Forest Service Pacific 

Southwest Experiment Station. Instead of permanent posts, tripods with guylines 

support the equipment. In this way the entire cableway can be moved to temporary, 

remote locations. It is set up prior to high flows and then left in place for the season. 

(Tom Lisle, Redwood Sciences Laboratory, Arcata, CA) 

A simple variation of our cableway is built to a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

design, and marketed by a hydrological equipment supplier. The "USGS Bank- - - 

Operated Cableway" uses a static line to suspend the equipment from the traveling 

block. A hand-operated tow cable is strung beneath the static line on two pulleys and 

is used to position the traveling block and equipment. A sounding reel controls the 

vertical motion of the equipment, similar to our design. One advantage of this design 

is the ease of using guy-lines on the posts, providing a more stable system. A 100-foot 

span version of this system generally sells fir less than $2,500, not including the 

sounding reel or measurement equipment. (fickly Hydrological Company, Columbus, 

OH.) 

The U.S. Geological Survey in Washington has designed a cableway that works 

closely with the B-56 sounding reel. Instead of being separate, the cableway control 

unit attaches directly to the sounding reel without modification. It provides vertical or 

horizontal control with the one reel handle. During horizontal positioning, the 

sounding cable is simultaneously controlled, malung this job easier and faster. This 

system, as well as a version of the one discussed in this paper, is presently available from 

fickly Hydrological Company. (John Bowldy, U.S. Geological Survey, Tachoma Field 

Office, WA.) 

For larger installations, double drum winches are available. The cableway towers 

and main cable are a heavy-duty version of the design described in this paper and cost 

about $10,000. Double drum winches start at $7,500, replacing the need for a B-reel. 

One manufacturer is Ott Messtechnik, Germany. These systems are available through 

fickly Hydrological Company and Scientific Instruments of Milwaukee. 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

Site selection depends both on the qualities needed for a good discharge or 

sediment measurement and on factors affecting the installation and operation of the 

cableway. Buchanan and Somers (1969) discuss selection of discharge measurement 

sites. Other measurements to be taken may have additional requirements, such as the 

channel substrates and their effect on bedload measurements. A discussion of site 

factors that can affect the operation and strength of the cableway follows. 

Substrates may affect the stability of the posts and resulting cableway strength. 

Rock or boulder sites will provide a more secure foundation for the posts than sands or 

gravel. Post stability can be increased with additional concrete, anchors, and bracing. 

Posts may be modified and bolted directly to solid rock. 

A person experienced with the channel and its historic stages can provide valuable 

knowledge and insight. Consider the 100-year floodplain to protect the posts from 

possible flood damage. The approach to the site may become more difficult at highwater, but access is only needed to one side to operate the cableway. The posts will 

need to be positioned so the cable is perpendicular to the water flow. 

The distance between the posts may affect the operation of the cableway. Span 

width is limited by the length of cable on the type of sounding reel used and by the sag 

of a weighted cable. The A-55 sounding reel comes equipped with 75 feet of cable, 

while the B-56 reel may be equipped with either 11 5 or 144 feet of cable. As the span 

approaches the length of the sounding cable, the distance the posts are set back from 

the high water mark and the height above the high water mark may become important 

factors in determining post placement. 

The optimal post position results in the cable being at a height of six feet above the 

water level during the use period, which is commonly high flows. The water level at 

bankfull is a good starting point, with consideration given to how much higher peak 

flows might be. A terrace, or abandoned floodplain, may provide a good site. 

Generally, the higher the cable is above the water, the less the effort that will be needed 

to horizontally position the equipment at the desired location. Posts set just above 

high water will work; they just require more effort and coordination during operation. 

A weighted cable commonly sags one or two feet and even more for long spans. In 

borderline conditions, computation of cable sag by a structural engineer may be 

beneficial. 

The position of the cable relative to water levels is especially important to consider 

in rivers used for recreational boating. Cables need to be high enough to avoid 

creating dangerous situations for recreational users. Appropriate considerations are a 

function of the type and amount of use and may include measures such as signing or 

posting outlooks during measurement periods. 

A work area with good footing will ease operation and improve safety at the site. 

The cableway is operated from behind and to the sides of the head block post. A level 

space between the head block post and the stream is desirable so measurement 

equipment may most easily be transported and attached to the cableway. Avoid placing 

the cable where you will have to duck under it to access the river's edge, either when 

using the cableway or during other times of the year. A trail may be needed to move 

equipment from your vehicle to the cableway. 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Installation should occur when the river can be waded. On-site installation time 

for one person is approximately four hours to set posts and two hours to install the 

pulley mechanisms, cable and carriage. The use of concrete will require a drying 

period between each of these steps. For those less experienced in construction 

projects, installation time may double. 

The posts must be firmly anchored. They need to be set plumb, at a convenient 

work height, and so the pulleys are level and aligned with each other. Forces applied to 

the posts can quickly reach high levels. Rocky substrates provide the most secure 

foundation. Most commonly, the post is set in a hole and filled with concrete for a 

secure footing. More concrete is needed for sites with little rock. As little as two bags 

of concrete might be used, but a poor site might require a cubic yard or more. A tieback with anchor(s) may be used to support the tailhold but should be avoided at the 

pulley housing end, where it may interfere with operations. 

Post installation: 

+ The top of the head block post should be installed at a height of about four 

feet, allowing the cranks to be operated easily by both tall and short persons. 

Set the tail post so its top is about nine inches above the top of the head block 

post. Align the posts so the pulleys will be directed towards each other, 

minimizing binding of the cable. Brace the posts until the concrete has dried. 

+ Measure the distance between the posts for the cable. 

+ Allow concrete to cure seven days or more, depending upon the type of 

concrete used. 

Installation of the pulley mechanisms, cable and carriage: 

+ Bolt the main pulley housing atop the near post and the tail pulley on the far 

post. 

+ Attach a turnbuckle to each end of the center tie bar of the traveling block. 

Clamp the cable to one of the turnbuckles using a thimble and two clamps. 
A Ban k-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

+ Feed the free end of the cable around the drive pulley and between the two 

idler pulleys of the main housing. The cable coming off the top of the drive 

pulley is fed through the traveling block, stretched across the stream, and over 

the top of the tail hold pulley (Figure 4). 

+ Attach the other cable end. With the turnbuckles opened wide, feed the fi-ee 

cable end through the near turnbuckle, stretch the cable as much as possible, 

and clamp it in place with the remaining two clamps and thimble. 

+ Adjust the cableway housing using the slotted hole in the post plate, aligning 

the housing parallel to the stretched cable and tail pulley. 

+ Adjust the final tension of the cable with the two turnbuckles to reduce sag. 

Wagner (1995) recommends an unloaded sag of 2 percent of the line length 

for cableways with manned cable cars. Cut off the excess cable. 

+ Readjust the tension of the new cable after several uses if necessary, using the 

turnbuckles. 

Figure 4: Schematic of the cable routing. The traveling block rides on the upper span of the 

main cable. The ends of the main cable are attached to the traveling block, controlling its 

movement. Equipment is suspended from the traveling block with the sounding reel cable. 

(J. VanDeWater) 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Use of the line counter fitting described in the construction plans is not 

recommended. A means to identify the horizontal location of the traveling block is 

needed, but previous use of the line counter on the counter pulley shaft (Appendix B, 

sheet 5, part 16) proved unreliable. Slipping of the cable resulted in inaccurate 

readings, and year-round exposure to the weather caused the counter to fail. 

Instead, the location of instruments in the cross section is gauged by pre-marlung 

the cable with paint. The cable is most effectively marked during the wadable period 

using a measuring tape stretched under the cable while a sounding reel is in place and a 

sounding weight is attached. With the sounding weight aligned with the desired 

location on the tape, the upper cable is marked with enamel paint where the cable 

enters the pulley housing (Figure 5a & 5b). 

On cross sections that are normally measured at low flows directly under the cable, 

the author prefers to have the measuring tape attached to the same bank pins 

customarily used during wading measurements. This allows cross sections to be 

compared more easily. 

Two-foot markings are appropriate for streams about 50 feet wide. Ten-foot 

intervals are marked in one color, and two-foot intervals in a second color. During 

operation, distances are estimated between the marks. 

Paint pens, similar to marking pens, are neat and efficient. Spray paint is also 

effective when used with a cardboard stencil. 

annually. 

Paint marks may need to be refreshed 

Figure 5a & 5b: Marking cable for horizontal location. Paint marks on the cable allow the 

equipment to be positioned accurately in the cross section. a) Hydrographer positions the 

traveling block at desired location prior to marking cable. b) Marking the cable with a paint 

pen. (I. Paradiso) 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Discharge measurements and sediment sample collections are taken using standard 

equipment and techniques (Buchanan and Somers, 1969). The operation protocols 

used on the Nez Perce National Forest are included in Appendix C. 

The sounding reel is attached to the mount on the head block post (Figure 6). It 

is installed and removed on each visit to allow use at other sites and avoid theft or 

vandalism. The reel cable is attached to the traveling block by removing the lower 

sheave, feeding the sounding cable through, and replacing it (Figure 7). For discharge 

measurements, the current meter and sounding weight are used, attaching them to the 

end of the sounding cable. The current meter and sounding weight can be replaced 

with an integrated depth sampler or bedload sampler, for suspended sediment or 

bedload measurements. 

Figure 6: Head block post. Pulley housing 

remains on site between visits, but the 

sounding reel is removed. (J. Paradiso) 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Figure 7: Attaching the sounding cable to traveling block. The sheave is 

removed and replaced to attach the cable prior to use. (B. Beegle) 

The equipment is positioned at the 

partial section to be measured, using the 

marlungs on the cable. This requires 

operating both the cableway and reel 

handles, feeding line out with the sounding 

reel as the block is moved out with the 

cableway crank (Figure 8). Coordination is 

required to move the equipment into 

position, turning the two cranks 

simultaneously. When using 50 pound or 

heavier sounding weights, setting and 

retrieving sampling equipment from wide 

streanls may be slow and tiring. The 

operation is best shared by two persons 

worlting in unison, each on one of the 

control handles. 

Figure 8: Hydrographer's view. 

Operation of the two handles needs 

to be coordinated to move the 

equipment. (N. Gerhardt) 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Safety precautions need to be taken when operating the cableway. High flows and 

moving debris can apply large stresses to the components of the system. The ratchet 

pawl locking the horizontal location of the traveling pulley must operate freely. If it 

sticks in the up position while moving the main cable, the handle may spin wildly, with 

force, when released. 

The vertical placement, or depth, of the current meter is set with the depth 

indicator of the sounding reel. The depth indicator is set to zero as the bottom of the 

weight (or the current meter cups) touches the water surface. It is read again when it 

touches the stream bottom. The meter is then raised to the appropriate depth, 

accounting for the distance separating the meter and the weight. 

The horizontal angle of the current meter is hard to assess and must be estimated 

from the shore. 

During peak flows, high water velocities and floating debris can further complicate 

operations. Erratic movement of the samplers can be reduced by moving them quickly 

through the faster, upper levels of the stream. Large boulders can interfere with the 

placement of samplers, and some will cause the samplers to tilt and ruin the sample. 

These locations need to be avoided. Watch upstream for floating debris, being 

prepared to lift the sampler to avoid being snagged. 

Transit rates for depth-integrated suspended-sediment measurements can be 

calculated using revolutions of the sounding reel. The A-5 5 reel has a drum 

circumference of 1 foot, the B-56 reel a circumference of 1.5 feet. Thus when using a 

B-56 reel, the handle is turned once each second for a 1.5 fps transit rate. 

Bedload samples collected with a Helly Smith sampler involve the same challenges 

for the operator as any cable system. High flows can cause rapid erratic movement as 

the sampler is lowered through the water column. Fast velocities near the surface will 

pull the sampler downstream. As the sampler passes into the slower velocities near the 

bottom, it will swing in under the suspension point, potentially scooping bottom 

materials and contaminating the sample. The operator must learn to lower the sampler 

to avoid this. While experience will be the best teacher, in general the sampler is 

lowered quickly through the fast water, or to about 2/3 of the depth. Then it is 

lowered more slowly in the deeper, slow water, allowing the sampler to swing back 

upstream. Finally, it is lowered the last increment to the bottom. 

Following use, the sounding equipment, including the sounding reel, is removed 

from the site. The traveling block may be positioned near the middle of the stream 

and the cable locked in place with a cable clamp, or a chain and padlock may be used 

to lock the traveling block to the main housing. 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

In constructing the pulley housing, block and tailhold, consider the needs of your 

situation and make modifications when appropriate. Some suggestions below are 

untried. The described parts are referenced by numbers as they appear on the 

construction drawings in Appendix A. These suggestions include: 

1. Weld the sides of the housing, reducing the time and expense of drilling and 

tapping for fastening screws (7). 

2. Eliminate the idler pulley (9) and/or the counter pulley (10) in the housing. 

This may result in the cable slipping, but aircraft grade cable may help reduce 

this. The groove in the drive pulley (8), sounding sheave (52), and tail sheave 

(60) must match the cable diameter. 

3. One-eighth inch cable has been used successfully for the applications on the 

Nez Perce National Forest. Larger streams may require a heavier cable. A 

structural engineer can determine the forces exerted for a system. The brealung 

strength of the sounding cable is considered in designing the load applied to 

the system, reflecting the possibility of snagging floating debris during 

measurements. The breaking strength of the B-56 sounding cable is 1,600 

pounds. For a more complete discussion, see Wagner (1995). 

4. A cover for the pulley housing may be desirable to prevent debris, such as 

conifer needles, from accumulating in the mechanism, and also deter vandalism. 

An open-ended box that slips over the pulley housing from the top would 

prevent the handle from being turned. Attachments to hold a padlock beneath 

the cable would secure this cover to the housing. 

5. With no line counter, the counter shaft (16) could be simplified by eliminating 

the portion of the counter shaft that protrudes from the right housing side. 

6. Modify the cable sheaves (49) of the traveling block assembly. The sheave on 

the near side bears most of the weight and resulting stress and wear. A 3/8" 

ID ball bearing could replace the bronze bearing (51) specified. The cable 

pulley (50) would need to be machined to accept the ball bearing. 

7. The design of the traveling block assembly (35) could be modified. As 

pictured in figure 7, the bottom spacer (43) has been dropped, and the sides 

simplified. Parts (37), (38), (45), (46), and (47) have been combined into one 

piece. The back (36) is modified and similar to the front plate. 

8. A further simplification of the traveling block assembly (35) is to eliminate one 

of the cable sheaves (49). The remaining sheave would be positioned in the 

middle of the center tie bar (40). Two plates would hold the single cable 

sheave above and the sounding sheave below. 

9. One of the 3/8" x 16" turnbuckles could be eliminated. This cost-saving 

measure would reduce the range of adjustment available and may make it 

difficult to tighten the cable. 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / . 

Thanks to those who provided their technical knowledge and insights on 

cableways: Brooks Beegle, John Bowles, Lawrence Clark, Jim Frasier, Thomas Lisle, 

Nick Gerhardt, Gail Howard, Mike Rickly, Skip Rosquist, Sandra Ryan, Ron Torretta, 

and Fred Warner. Thanks to Lois Peterson of the Nez Perce National Forest for 

redrawing the construction plans, John Potyondy and Larry Schmidt of the Stream 

System Technology Center for malung this paper a reality, as well as their technical 

assistance, encouragement and patience, and Karen Mora, Carol LoSapio, and Joyce 

VanDeWater for help with publication and graphics. 

Buchznan, Thomas J. and William Somers. 1969. Discharge Measurements At Gaging 

Stations. Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations. U.S. Geological Survey. 

Book 3, Chap. A8. 

Bureau of Reclamation. 1967. Water Measurement Manual: A Manual Pertaining Primarily To Measurement of Water For Irrigation Projects. U.S. Department of the 

Interior. 

Great Britain, Dept. of the Environment, Water Data Unit, 1978. Portable current meter 

cableways and winches. Report of the Instruments and Methods Observation Group 

Technical Memorandum No. 17, Reading [England], 12 p. 

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. 1976. Traveling Block 

Cableway (Drawing). Approved by &chard Bandy, Chief. Engineering Bureau, Water 

Resources Division. 

Wagner, Russell. 1995. Stream- Gaging Cableways. Technical Water-Resources Investigations. U.S. Geological Survey. Book 3, Chap. A2 1. 

U.S. Department of Agriculture. 1979. Traveling Block Cableway (Drawing). Drawn 

by Lassila. Lolo National Forest. Missoula, Montana. 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements - 

A full-sized set of scaled AutoCAD plans (* .dwg format) as well as standard 

graphics files (* .tif format) for printing are available for downloading from the internet 

from the Stream Systems Technology Center web page at http://www.stream.fs.fed.us. 
INDEX TO SHEETS I 

I DESCRIPTION OF SHED 

1 1 COVER SHEET I 

2 1 CABLE WAY HOUSING 

3 I SIDES. BOlTOM. TOP AND REAR SPACERS 

DRNE, IDLER AND COUNTER PULLEYS 

SHAFTS AND WEAVES 

PLATES AND SHEAVE 

78 

6A 

8B 

VI 

TRAVELING BLOC

PLATE. PULLEYS. E4R AND BLOCK - VERSION B 

TRAMUNC BLOCK ASSEMBLY - VERSION A 

TRAMUNG BLOCK ASSEMBLY - VERSION B 

CABLE WAY 
I MATERIALS LIST 

I NO. I PART WE I RWD. I MTERIAL-DE

1 1 CABLE WAY HOUSING ( 1 

2 1 LEFl SIDE 11 

I 3 1 RIGHT SIDE 11 

PARTS 2-30 

PART 2 

PART 3 

4 1 BOTTOM ( 1 I PART 4 

5 1 TOP SPACER 1 1 PART 5 

1 6 1 REAR SPACER I 1 1 PART 6 

7 1 SCRM 14 

8 1 DRM PULLEY 11 

12 I DRM sw I 

13 1 BEARING 2 

14 IIMER SW I1 15 l BEARING 2 

1/4'-20 NC X 5/B LC. SO

PART 8 

PART 9 

PART 10 

,9843' BORE X 1.8504- 00 X 

WING WITH TWO SWS FAF

PART 12 

.4724' BORE X 1.1024- OD X 

BEARING WITH TWO SEALS FAF

PART 14 

5693" BORE X 1.3780" 00 X 

BEARING WITH TWO SEALS FAF

16 

17 

18 

19 

25 

28 1 SCREW I I I I/< X l/2' LC. SOCKET HD 

29 I WASHER I 1 I 1 /4" FENDER WASHER 9/32' I

26 

27 

30 1 SCREW I 1 I1/4"-20 NC X 518" LC. SOCK

76 1 KEY I I I l/< SO. X 1' LC. RWND BO

COUNTER SW 

KEY 

KEY 

HANDLE 

KEY 

1 I - I 1 1118-32 NC X 1/4' LC. SOCKET 

SPROCKET 

PAWL 

@ CABLE WAY HOUSING 

1 

2 

1 

1 

1 

PART 16 

1/4' SO. X 1/-l/4" LC. RW

3/16" SO. X I/- 14" LC. ROU

PARTS20-24 

3/16" SO. x 7/~ LC. ROUND 

1 

1 

PART 26 

PART 27 
I MATERIALS LIS

3 1 RIGHT SlDE 1 1 1 1 /2 X 9 X 13-3

4 1 BOrrOU I 1 1 1/2 X 1 - 1/2 X 

NO. 

2 

5 TOPSP PACER I 1 11/2 X 1-1/2X3

6 I BollOU SPACER I 1 1 1 /2 X 1 - 1 /2 X 

@ LEFT SlDE 

PART NAME 

LEFT SIDE 

@) T

S

@ BOTTOM 

REQ'D. 

1 

UAT

1/2 X 9 X 13-

@ REAR SPACER @ RIGHT SlDE 
@ DRIVE PULLEY 

@ IDLER PULLEY 

MATERIALS LIST 

NO. I PART WE I REQT). I MATER

@ COUNTER 
@ DRIVE SHAFT 

@ IDLER SHAFT 

14 

16 

@ COUNTER SHAFT 

IDLER w I 1 I3/4- OD X 2-l/8" 

COUNTER SnAFl I 1 11' OD X 3-3/8" LC
MATERIALS LIST 

NO. PART NAME 

19 

20 

21 

22 

@ PAWL 

REO'D. UATERIAL- D

--( 1/4* mNE OFF 

HANME 

ROUND 

ARM 

HANME 

25 

24 

26 

27 

@ HANDLE 

1 

1 

1 

I 

BOLT 

PIN 

SPROCKET 

PAWL 

@ SPROCKET 

1 

1 

1 

1 --- 

3/8" - 16 NC ROUND HD. CARRl

1/16" DIA. X 3/4" LC. STEEL RO

12 PITCH. 30 TOOTH. 14-1/2*. 2

1/2 X 3/4" BRASS FIAT 

PARTS 20 - 24 

1-1/2" W X 7/g LG. 

1/2" X 1-l/r X 8-3/8 LG. 

WOOD 
7 MATERIALS LIST 

I NO. I PART NAUE I REQ'D. I UATERIA

36 

37 

38 

39 

40 

43 

@ BOTTOM PLATE 

BACK 

TOP PIATE 

BOrrOU PLATE 

45 

46 

47 

49 ( CABLE SHEAVE I 2 I PARTS 50-51 

50 1 CABLE PULLEY I 2 12-3/b D1A. X 3/4" LC. 606

TOP SPACER 

CENTER nE BAR 

BOTTOM SPACER 

1 

1 

1 

PUTE 

STOP 

SCREWS 

@ BACK 

1/4" THICK 6061 -TM1 ALUM

1/4" X 3" X 7- 1/T LC. 60

1 /4' X 2- 1 /7 X 4-5/8 L

1 

1 

1 

51 

@ TOP SPACER 

3/4" X 1' X 2-3/4' LC. 60

3/4- x 1" x 8' LC. w61-~

1 /1 X 1' X 2- l/f LC. 60

1 

1 

2 

@ CABLE SHEAVE 

1/4" X 2- 1/r X 2- 1/2" L

l/Z X 1" X 2-l/T LC. 60

48 - 32 NC X I" LC. FLAT 

- - 

BEARING 

( 9/37 MnLL - 2 HOLES 

3 375 ID X 503 OD X 1 LC. O

BRONZE BEARING " OIUT~ &A

@ CENTER TIE BAR @ CAP @ BOTTOM SPACER 
MATERIALS 

NO. I PART WE I REO'D. I W

SOUNDING PUUEY 

ANCHOR EAR 3/4" X 1' X 

EYE BOLT l/4* X 1" W

b2-4 

@ SIDE PLATE 

@ SOUNDING PULLEY 

@ CARRIAGE PULLEY 

( DRILL & TAP - FoR-1/4" 0 EYE BOLT W/LOCK NUT 

@ ANCHOR BAR 

@ 

W
@ TRAVELING BLOCK ASSEMBLY 

MATERIALS LIST 

NO. PART NAUE REO'D. MATE

1 35 1 TRAVELING BLOCK I 1 1 PARTS 36 - 55 

36 !BACK 1 1 I 1/4' THICK 6061-T651 AL

37 1 TOP PLATE I 1 It/*' X 3' X 7-1/2 LG. 

38 BOTTG PUT€ I 1/4' X 2-l/2" X 4-S/8" 

39 TOP SPACER 1 3/4' X 1" X 2-3/4" LC. 

40 CEHTER TIE BAR 1 3/4' X 1' X 8' LC. 6081

41 BOLTS 6 1/4- - 20 NC X 1 -3/4' 

42 NUTS 6 1/4" - X 20 NC FIBER L

43 BOTTOM SPACER 1 l/2" X 1' X 2-1/Z LG. 

44 CAP 1 PARTS45- 47 

4a BOLT 2 i/4* - m NC x i/r LC

49 CABLE SHEAVE 2 PARTS 50 - 51 

51 BEARING 3 375 ID X 503 00 X 1 LC

BRONZE BEARlNG 'OILITI? 

52 U)UNDING WUVE 1 PARTS 53 & 51 

53 SOUNDING PULLEY 1 4 DM. X 3/4' LC. 6061-

54 SHOULDER SCREW 3 3/8" X 1' LC. SOCKET 

55 NUT 3 5/16 - 18 NC THIN FIB

56 M BOLT 2 1/4- MA. STEEL THREADE

@ SOUNDING SHEAVE 
/@SOUNDING PULLEY 

/ 

a TOP VlEW 

I MATERIALS LIST 

B 1 SOUNDING PULLEY I 1 14- DIA X 3/4- LC. 6061 T6 

C 1 CARRIAGE PULLEY 1 2 12-3/# DIA, X 3/4' LC. 60

NO. 

A 

D IWH~R eAR I 1 I3/4" X I" X 6" LC. 6061 T

PART NAME 

SIDE PLATE 

H ) NUTS 1 7 11/4" - X 20 NC FIBER LOCK 

E 

F 

C 

I I 1 WASHERS 1 7 19/16 

REO'D. 

2 

J@CARRIAGE PULLIES 

6SPACER BLOCK 

MATERIA

1/8' X 7" X 5-l/r LC. 6

7 1 If - 7n )rV. X 1 -3/4" LC

M BOLT 

SPACER BLOCK 

ROlTS 

SIDE VlEW -- 

I TRAVELING BLOCK ASSEMBLY 

1 

1 

1/4" X 1" WITH LOCK NUT 

3/4" X 1" X 2-13/16" LG. 

W

r
7/16 DRILL/ . 

@ CENTER PLATE @ BACKING PLATE 

MATERIALS LIST 

I NO. I PART ME ( REO'D. I MATER

@ SHEAVE 

SCALE: 1/T = 1" 

57 

J8 

60 

64 

@ SlDE 

2 REO'O. W

CENTER PLATE 

SIDE PLATE 

SnEAM 

BACKING PLATE 

1 

2 

1 

1 

314" X 1-1/T X 8" L

1/Y X d X 5-l/r L

60D 1020 HR STL. ROU

1/7 X 8 "X 4" LG. 6

- GROUND 

@ HEAD BLOCK POST 

7/16" DRILL/ 

2 HOLES 

@) TAIL BLOCK POST 

- MATERIALS LIS

I NO. I PART WE I REO'D. 1 

BLOCK POST ; PNVS 6~ - 7

6" X 4" X 3/16

69 HEADMOUNT 1/1 X 4-1/7 

70 SOUNDING MOUNT S X s" X 3/16

71 TAIL BLOCK POST 6 "X 4- X 3/1

72 PLATE 4 1/T X 8" X 1

NOTES: I. POSTS uun BE sm TO WITHSTA

APPLIED BY THE CABLE WAY. 

2. 0PTK)NAL TWO PIECE POST FOR 

WITHOUT REMOVAL OF UNDERGRO

3. LENGTH OF POST MAY VARY WITH 

@ OPTIONAL TWO-PIEC

TWO (2) PLATES REO'D. PER POST. 

GROUND LEVEL. CUT POST AND WEL

BOLT Wrm 1/2" 13 NC X 1 -3/4" 
\A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Installation of posts: 

a head block post 

tail block post 

(4) bags of redimix concrete 

Tools & miscellaneous: Post hole digger or shovels. Lumber may be used to 

brace the posts as the concrete dries. Saws or axes if the site needs to be cleared 

of brush. Carpenter's level or plumb bob. Waders to cross the stream. Survey 

level. 

Installation of pulley blocks and carriage: 

head block, tail block, and carriage 

1/8 inch wire rope/cable - aircraft grade cable twice the distance between the 

posts, with an additional 5-10 feet. 

0 (4) 1/8 inch cable clamps 

0 (4) 1/8 inch cable thimbles 

0 (2) l/4 inch X 16 inch turnbuckles 

Tools: wrenches, cable cutter 

Cali bration: 

(2) colors of enamel paints (paint pens or spray cans) 

measuring tape or tagline (100') 

sounding reel 

El sounding weight 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

Operation: 

Other available instruments and models are compatible with our cableway. These 

may be used depending on the measurements desired and situation. A suggested list: 

- Item 

sounding reel 

Model 

B-56 - 

current meter Price AA 

sounding weight 50C 

suspended sediment sampler D74 

bedload sampler BL84 

Estimated cost 

$ 1,900.00 

$ 745.00 

$ 275.00 

$ 1,370.00 

$ 750.00 

Hydrological equipment suppliers: 

These suppliers are for reference only. Use of trade names is for the convenience of 

the reader and does not constitute endorsement by the USDA Forest Service. These 

products are neither tested nor endorsed by the author. 

Kckly Hydrological Company 

2710 Joyce Avenue 

Columbus, OH 4321 1 

(614)475-8310 

Scientific Instruments 

5 18 West Cherry Street 

Milwaukee, WI 532 12 

(414) 263-1600 

Federal agencies may obtain equipment through: 

U .S . Geological Survey 

Hydrological Instrumentation Facility 

Building 2 10 1 

Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000 

1-800-382-0634 

Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project 

Waterways Experiment Station 

3909 Halls Ferry Road 

Vicksburg, MS 39180-2721 

(601) 634-2721 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

SURFACE WATER MONITORING 

USING THE BANK-OPERATED CABLEWAY 

Nez Perce National Forest 

Ron Torretta, Jim Paradiso 

March 1999 

Background 

Protocols on the Forest have developed based upon standard documented 

procedures such as Buchanan and Somers (1969). Additional refinements have been 

made after consulting with the local U.S. Geological Survey, adjacent National Forests, 

and the USFS Boise Adjudication Team. Being locally refined, the use of the protocols 

in this paper may not be appropriate in all situations. 

Surface water is monitored at eight locations on the Nez Perce National Forest. 

Some or all of the following data are collected at each of the monitoring sites: 

discharge, suspended sediment, turbidity, air and water temperature, conductivity, and 

bedload. 

Procedures used when conducting a cableway measurement include most of the 

same standard steps used for a wading measurement. Initial setup includes checlung 

the operation of the stage recorder. The beginning time is recorded, as well as stage 

measurements on the recorder, the staff gage, and inside the stilling well. 

Cable measurement periods 

Cable measurements are performed whenever the stream or river to be gaged has 

flows that make gaging via the wading method impossible, impractical, or unsafe. The 

general rule is to avoid wading in the water any time the product of the velocity (feet 

per second) and the depth of the water (in feet) is greater than ten. 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

Discharge 

Continuous discharge is recorded at the sites with Stevens A-71 or A-35 recorders 

mounted on stilling wells. Instantaneous discharge is monitored using standard U.S. 

Geological Survey (USGS) methods as described in "Techniques of Water-Resource 

Investigations of the USGS", Book 3, Chapters A8 and A6. These data are collected 

by wading measurement during low flows, using either a Price AA or Pygmy current 

meter. The Price current meter is suspended from a bridge crane or cableway during 

high flows. 

The current meter is tested before and after use for acceptable operation. For the 

Price AA meter, minimum spin time of 1 ' 30" is needed in the field. Discharge 

measurements are recorded on the USGS form #9-275-F, Discharge Measurement 

Notes, commonly referred to as 'q-notes.' The start and finish times are recorded for 

discharge, bedload, and suspended sediment measurements. While taking discharge 

measurements, the time is also recorded every 10 minutes, especially if the water levels 

appear to be fluctuating. Right Edge Water (REW) or Left Edge Water (LEW), as seen 

when facing downstream, is recorded on the q-note next to the partial section data. 

The Distance From Initial Point (DFIP), width, depth, velocity, area, and discharge 

measurements are recorded and/or calculated the same as for a wading measurement. 

The partial sections are measured and then summed for the total discharge, as in a 

wading measurement. Each partial section should contain no more than 5% of the 

total flow. The section widths are varied to accomplish this, being narrower in deeperhigher velocity portions of the stream and wider in the shallower-slower portions of the 

stream. Usually 25-30 total measurements are taken. Measurements are talien 

beginning at one edge of water and continuing to the other edge. 

Set up 

During periods of high flows, stations equipped with bank-operated cablewaps 

most often use a Price AA current meter suspended one foot above a 75 pound 

Columbus weight. Due to the high velocities, and resulting erratic movement with 

subsequent damage to equipment, the use of a 30# C weight (0.5 ' suspension) is rarely 

used at these sites. Set up the cable sounding reel assembly with the Columbus weight 

and Price AA meter suspended. Check the headphones before moving the equipn~ent 

into position. 

Observation depths 

Cable measurements on the Nez Perce National Forest are taken in partial sections 

with depths that commonly range from zero to about five feet deep. Velocity 

measurements are typically taken at 6/10 of the distance from the water's surface to 

the stream bottom, but may be taken at the surface, 2/10, or 8/10 depending on 

circumstances described below. 

In partial sections less than 1.2 feet deep, velocities are estimated, due to 

limitations of the meter/weight combination. Use of the price meter is 

avoided when the cups cannot be completely submerged. On these shallow 

sections, the velocity is estimated by visually comparing the movement of the 

water to a deeper nearby section that is measurable, and recording an 'el in the 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

observation depth column of the q-note. If that is not possible, a surface 

velocity is taken with the Price meter (recording an 's' in the observation depth 

column of the q-note). Measurements taken at the surface are corrected using 

a 0.87 correction factor. 

In partial sections between 1.2 ' and 1.9' deep, the measurement is considered a 

0.2 depth observation. When a 0.2 depth observation is the only measurement 

in a vertical, a 0.87 correction factor is used to convert the measured velocity to 

the average for the column. For example, a velocity of 6.84 feet per second 

(fps) measured at the point is corrected to a velocity of 5.95 fps as the mean in 

vertical. 

In partial sections between 2.0 ' to 2.3 ' deep, the measurement is recorded as a 

0.5 depth observation. No correction is made, but the notation acknowledges 

that the measurement is not a true 0.6 depth measurement. 

In partial sections between 2.4' to 5.0' deep, a 0.6 depth observation is taken. 

No correction is necessary to convert the reading to the mean in the vertical. 

On depths over 5.0 feet, the velocity is measured at both the 0.2 and 0.8 

observation points. These two readings are averaged for the mean in vertical. 

The hydrographer may find it convenient to summarize the above information on a 

table to facilitate field use. 

Setting the observation depth 

The depth of the Price meter is set using the dial indicator on the sounding reel. 

Zero the meter with the bottom of the weight just touching the water's surface. 

This has been found easier in high velocity water, than zeroing with the meter 

at the waters surface. 

Lower the equipment to the stream bottom, reading and recording the depth 

from the dial. 

Raise the equipment to the appropriate depth for the measurement, using the 

dial on the meter. 

Additional corrections to velocity 

Suspension angle coefficients to correct for downstream drift are assumed to be 

1.0. Cable length is not enough to significantly affect actual stream depth vs. 

measured depth. Horizontal angle corrections of the water are difficult to determine 

from a vantage point on a stream bank. This correction is made for water that is not 

flowing perpendicular to the cross section. The horizontal angle coefficient is assumed 

to be 1.0 unless the observer can detect a more accurate angle from the observation 

position. 
A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements / 

Suspended sediment 

Suspended sediment (SS) samples are collected using the Equal Width Increment 

(EWI) method. Procedures are similar to those used when conducting SS 

measurements while wading, and described in Edwards and Glysson ( 198 8). 

All partial sections for sampling have the same width. 

Collect 10 EWI suspended sediment samples for all partial sections with a 

downstream flow. 

Select an appropriate sized nozzle and establish a transit rate for lowering and 

raising the sampler to collect 24 bottles of SS for analysis. The transit rate 

must be consistent for all sections and must not allow a bottle to overfill in any 

one section. 

Use the sounding reel to lower and raise the D79 suspended sediment sampler. 

Transit rates for depth-integrated suspended-sediment measurements can be 

calculated using revolutions of the sounding reel. The A-55 reel has a drum 

circumference of 1 foot and the B-56 reel a circumference of 1.5 feet. Thus, 

when using a B-56 reel, the handle is turned once each second for a 1.5 fps 

transit rate. 

&r/water temperatures and conductivity measurements are made after the 

suspended sediment samples are taken, since there is a relationship between water 

temperature and amount of SS that the water holds. The automatic (ISCO) sampler, if 

present, should be serviced/changed next and an ISCO calibration sample collected to 

correlate with the SS samples collected across the stream channel. 

Bedload 

The bedload sample is also collected using the EWI method. The sounding reel is 

used to raise and lower the bedload sampler. 

Approximately twenty subsamples are collected. The subsamples are stored for 

lab analysis as one sample. 

The bedload sampler is positioned on the stream bottom for 60 seconds at each 

location. 

Record any special circumstances in the notes. Subsamples are taken only in 

verticals with positive velocities. In places where the sampler cannot be placed 

on the streambed due to boulders or other obstructions, the subsample may 

have to be foregone. 
\ A Bank-Operated Traveling-Block Cableway for Stream Discharge and Sediment Measurements 

Close station 

One last record of all stage indicators (outside gage, pulley, inside gage or 

tapedown, and pen) should be recorded, both on the chart and the Q-notes sheet, 

before leaving the site. The strip chart should be reset to correct time and gage height 

before leaving, if necessary. Record any adjustments made on the log and Q-note 

sheets. 

Remove the sounding reel and lock the cable to deter vandalism. 

References 

Buchanan, Thomas J. and William Somers. 1969. Discharge Measurements At Gaging 

Stations. Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations. U.S. Geological Survey. 

Boolc 3, Chap. A8. 

Carter, R.W. and Jacob Davidian. 1968. General Procedures for Gaging Streams. Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations. Book 3, Chap. A6. 

Edwards, Thomas I<. and Glysson, G. Douglas. 1988. Field Methods For Measurement 

Of Fluvial Sediment. Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations. U.S. Geological 

Survey. Book 3, Chap. C2. 

USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility. Q-Card for measuring water discharge. 

Reference Water-Supply Paper 2 175. 

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