A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally 

Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2005-1087
A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of 

Federally Approved Sediment and WaterQuality Samplers

By Broderick E. Davis and the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project

Sponsored by: U.S.D.A. Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Environmental Protection 

Agency, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, U.S. Geological Survey

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1087

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

Gale A. Norton, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Charles G. Groat, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2005

For more information about the USGS and its products:

Telephone: 1-888-ASK-USGS

World Wide Web: http://www.usgs.gov/

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Government.

Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Davis, B.E., 2005, A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers: Vicksburg, MS, U.S. Geological Survey, Open File Report 2005-1087, 20 p. 
iii

Contents

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

Purpose ................................................................................. 1

Explanation of Terms .................................................................. 1

Selecting a Sampler .................................................................. 2

References ..............................................................................18

Uncited Bedload Sampler References .............................................19

Figures

Figure 1. Flow chart for the selection of suspended-sediment sampling equipment. ... 3

Figure 2. Flow chart for the selection of water-quality sampling equipment. ............ 4

Figure 3. Flow chart for the selection of bed material sampling equipment. ............ 5

Figure 4. Flow chart for the selection of bedload sampling equipment. .................. 5

Sampler Descriptions

US DH-48 ....................................................................................... 7

US DH-81 ....................................................................................... 7

US DH-59 ....................................................................................... 8

US DH-76 ....................................................................................... 8

US DH-95TM ....................................................................................... 9

US D-74 ....................................................................................... 9

US D-74AL .......................................................................................10

US D-95TM .......................................................................................10

US DH-2 .......................................................................................11

US D-96 .......................................................................................11

US D-96-A1 .......................................................................................12

US D-99 .......................................................................................12

US P-61-A1 .......................................................................................13

US P-72 .......................................................................................13

US P-63 .......................................................................................14

US RBMH-80 ....................................................................................14

US BMH-53 .......................................................................................15

US SAH-97TM ....................................................................................15

US BMH-60 .......................................................................................16

US BM-54 .......................................................................................16

US BLH-84 .......................................................................................17

US BL-84 .......................................................................................17

Tables

Table—Suspended-sediment sampler characteristics and operating parameters. ... 6
iv

ABBREVIATIONS

in ................................................................................. inch

ft ................................................................................. feet

lbs ..............................................................................pounds

ft/sec .................................................................. feet per second

in2 ..................................................................... square inches

in3 ..................................................................... cubic inches

mm ...........................................................................millimeter

cm ........................................................................ centimeter

cm3 ............................................................... cubic centimeters

ml ........................................................................... milliliter

TFE ............................................................... tetrafluoroethylene

PFA .................................................................. perfluoroalkoxy

FEP ................................................ fluorinated ethylenee propylene

FACTORS FOR CONVERTING INCH/POUND UNITS TO SI 

METRIC UNITS

Multiply By To Obtain

Inch (in) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

pint, liquid (pt) 0.4732 Liter (L)

quart, liquid (qt) 0.9464 Liter (L)

gallon (gal) 3.785 Liter (L)

pound, avoirdupois 0.4545 kilogram (kg)

feet per second (ft/sec) 0.3048 meter per second (m/sec)

oF 5/9(oF - 32) oC

The use of brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and 

does not imply endorsement by the United States Government.

Superscripted number refer to references listed at the end of the report.
Introduction

The Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project 

(FISP) was created in 1939 to unify and standardize the 

research and development activities of Federal agencies 

involved in fluvial sediment studies1,2. Research and 

development conducted by the FISP originally focused 

on hydraulic and mechanical aspects of sediment sampling. The mission of the FISP has expanded to provide, 

identify, and evaluate tools and techniques for accurate, 

standardized, calibrated, cost-efficient, and safe measurement and analysis of sediment properties and transport. FISP activities focus on measurement and analysis 

of suspended sediment, bedload sediment, bed material, 

bed topography, adsorbed constituents, sediment characteristics, and water quality. Sponsoring agencies and 

the public gain a distinct advantage from the cooperative 

action that leads to common standards, methods, equipment, and procedures for the measurement and characterization of sediment. 

As interest in the health of rivers and streams 

increases3, and new water-quality regulations4 are promulgated, interest in sediment and water-quality sampling equipment and technologies has increased. While 

much information on the subject exists, a comprehensive 

summary document of sediment sampling equipment 

and technology is lacking. This report seeks to provide 

such a summary. 

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to provide (1) a general understanding of sediment sampling equipment and 

technology, (2) guidance for the selection of the appropriate equipment, and (3) an introduction to new FISP 

approved sampling equipment. 

Explanation of Terms

Sediment that may be sampled using FISP approved 

equipment is divided into three categories depending on 

its location in the stream.

1. Suspended sediment is sediment that is carried in suspension in the flow of a stream for 

appreciable lengths of time, being kept in 

this state by the upward components of flow 

turbulence or by Brownian motion5. 2. Bedload is defined as that part of the sedi- mentary load of the stream which is moving 

in almost continuous contact with the stream 

bed, being rolled or pushed along the bottom 

by the tractive force of the moving water6. 

The mechanisms by which it moves can be 

varied and complex. 

3. Bed material is sediment in the streambed 

that is at rest, but may re-suspend and move 

as coarse suspended sediment or move as 

bedload. 

FISP nomenclature for sediment sampling equipment denotes the series, type, and year development 

started. The following explains FISP nomenclature: 

• US: United States series 

• D: Depth integrating 

• P: Point integrating 

• H: Hand held or hand line 

• 00 (numeric): Year development started 

• BL: Bedload 

• BM: Bed material 

• SA: Sediment analyzer 

For example, the US DH-48 is a hand-held depthintegrating suspended-sediment sampler in which 

development started in 1948. The US BL-84 is a bedload 

sampler that was developed starting in 1984. The US 

DH-2 is a hand-held depth-integrating suspended-sediment/water-quality sampler that was developed starting 

in 2002. If there is no “H” in the sampler designation, it 

is deployed with a suspension system. 

FISP suspended-sediment sampling equipment is 

designed and calibrated to sample isokinetically. An 

isokinetic sampler collects a water-sediment sample 

from the stream at a rate such that the velocity in the 

intake nozzle is equal to the incident stream velocity at 

the nozzle entrance. The water-sediment sample collected is proportional to the instantaneous stream velocity at the locus of the intake nozzle and, therefore, is 

representative of the sediment load at that point. Most 

FISP approved suspended-sediment samplers collect an 

isokinetic sample at minimum stream velocities of 1.5 

to 2.0 ft/sec stream velocity. At velocities less than 1.5 

ft/sec, samplers that use rigid containers have a slight 

static head between the air exhaust and the nozzle so 

that the sampler will still collect a sample. The user must 

understand that the sample collected under these conditions is not an isokinetic sample. All depth-integrating 

samplers designed after 1980 can serve the dual purpose 

of suspended-sediment and water-quality sampling. 

Isokinetic suspended-sediment samplers are divided 

into two categories according to how they sample: depthintegrating and point-integrating. A depth-integrating 
2 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

sampler fills as it is lowered and raised through the water 

column. Depth-integrating samplers are further divided 

into two general categories, those that use a rigid bottle 

for sample collection and those that use a collapsible 

bag. A sampler using a rigid bottle container is limited to 

stream depths of 15 ft or less. A collapsible bag sampler 

is limited in depth according to the volume of the bag 

and the size of the nozzle.

A point-integrating suspended-sediment sampler 

has a remotely operated valve for starting and stopping 

the collection of a sample. The sampler is lowered to 

the desired depth in the water column, the sample is 

collected by remotely opening and closing the valve, 

and then the sampler is raised to the surface for removal 

of the sample container. To eliminate sudden inrush at 

the selected sampling point, the diving bell principle is 

used to balance the air pressure in the bottle with the 

hydrostatic pressure at the nozzle. The “diving bell” in 

the sampler is the body cavity behind and surrounding 

the sample container. It is connected by ports through 

the valve system to the surrounding stream and to the 

sample bottle. 

Water-quality samplers are suspended-sediment 

samplers that are specially coated and use non-contaminating material in parts that come in contact with 

the sample. All FISP approved water-quality samplers 

can be used as suspended-sediment samplers, but not 

all FISP approved suspended-sediment samplers can 

be used for water-quality sampling. FISP approved 

water-quality samplers meet protocol for water-quality 

sampling as outlined the USGS’s National Field Manual 

for the Collection of Water-Quality Data7. Samplers that 

serve the dual purpose of suspended-sediment and waterquality sampling are italicized in the table on page 8. 

Selecting a Sampler

Four flow-charts (figures1-4) are provided to guide 

the user through the selection process for determining 

the applicable piece of equipment based on the type of 

sampling to be done. The categories for type of sampling 

are: “Suspended-Sediment Sampling”, “Water-Quality Sampling, “Bed Material Sampling”, and “Bedload 

Sampling.” The flow-charts guide the user to appropriate FISP approved sampling equipment. The rest of 

this publication provides a detailed description of each 

sampler along with references for further information. 

The flow-chart decision process is primarily based 

on stream depth and whether a piece of equipment can 

be deployed by hand or requires a cable and reel system. 

The table provides a general description of the suspended-sediment/water-quality samplers with minimum 

and maximum operating velocities. For each piece of 

equipment in the flow-chart, a reference is provided to 

a page in the report that contains a detailed description, 

operating parameters, and limitations of the equipment. 

The selection of a sampler should be based upon 

the most extreme conditions (depth and velocity) under 

which the samples are likely to be collected. As an 

example, suppose a user needs to take a depth-integrated 

suspended-sediment sample in a stream 10 ft deep at 

bank-full that is not accessible with a cable and reel 

system. To select the appropriate sampler, the user would 

choose the flow chart “Suspended-Sediment Sampling” (figure 1). From this chart the user would choose 

“Depth Integrating” and then the appropriate depth, in 

this case, “Depths to 15 ft”. Under “Depths to 15 ft” the 

user would have two choices, “Hand Line” or “Reel”. 

Because the site is not accessible with a cable and reel, 

the user would choose “Hand Line”. Under “Hand Line” 

the user would have the choice of three samplers, the US 

DH-59, US DH-76, or US DH-95. The user would refer 

to the table and the description of the samplers to determine which of the three best fit the maximum expected 

stream velocity. 

FISP equipment is available to any Federal agency 

directly from USGS’s Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility (HIF). FISP equipment is also available to others 

through five authorized commercial distributors. For 

pricing and ordering information visit the FISP web 

site at http://fisp.wes.army.mil or contact HIF directly at 

(800) 382-0634. Reports and operating instructions for 

FISP equipment are available either on the FISP web site 

or from the FISP.
OFR 2005-1087 3

Suspended-Sediment Sampling

Depth Integrating Point Integrating

Wadeable Depths to 15 ft Depths to 37 ft Depths to 110 ft Depths to 220 ft

US DH-48

page 7

US DH-81

page 7

US DH-2

page 11

US DH-96

page 11

US D-96-A1

page 12

US D-99

page 12

Hand Line Reel

US DH-59

page 8

US DH-76

page 8

US DH-95

page 9

US P-61-A1

page 13

US P-72

page 13

US P-63

page 14

US D-74

page 9

US D-74AL

page 10

US D-95

page 10

Figure 1. Flow chart for the selection of suspended-sediment sampling equipment.
4 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers Figure 2. Flow chart for the selection of water-quality sampling equipment.

Water-Quality Sampling

Wadeable Depths to 15 ft Depths to 37 ft Depths to 110 ft Depths to 220 ft

US DH-81

page 

7

US DH-2

page 11

US D-96

page 11

US D-96-A1

page 12

US D-99

page 12 Hand Line

US DH-95

page 

9

US D-95

page 10

Reel
OFR 2005-1087 5

Figure 3. Flow chart for the selection of bed material sampling equipment.

Figure 4. Flow chart for the selection of bedload sampling equipment.

Bed Material Sampling

Wadeable Hand Line Reel

US RMBH-80

page 14

US BMH-60

page 16

US BM-54

page 16

US BMH-53

page 15

US SAH-97

page 15

Bedload Sampling

Wadeable Reel

US BL-84

page 17

US BLH-84

page 17
6 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

 Table—Suspended-sediment sampler characteristics and operating parameters.

Sampler

Designation

Nozzle ID 

(in)

Container 

Size

Maximum 

Depth (ft)

Minimum 

Velocity 

(ft/sec)

Maximum 

Velocity 

(ft/sec)

Unsampled 

Zone (in) Weight (lbs)

US DH-48 1/4 pint 9 1.5 8.9 3.5 4

US DH-59 3/16 pint 15 1.5 5.0 4.5 22

US DH-59 1/4 pint 9 1.5 5.0 4.5 22

US DH-76 3/16, 1/4 quart 15 1.5 6.6 3.2 25

US DH-81 3/16 liter 9 2.0 6.2 4.0 1

US DH-81 1/4 liter 9 1.5 7.6 4.0 1

US DH-81 5/16 liter 9 2.0 7.0 4.0 1

US DH-95 3/16 liter 15 2.1 6.2 4.8 29

US DH-95 1/4 liter 15 1.7 7.0 4.8 29

US DH-95 5/16 liter 15 2.1 7.4 4.8 29

US DH-2 3/16 liter 35 2.0 6.0 3.5 30

US DH-2 1/4 liter 20 2.0 6.0 3.5 30

US DH-2 5/16 liter 13 2.0 6.0 3.5 30

US D-74 3/16 pint/quart 15 1.5 6.6 4.1 62

US D-74 1/4 pint/quart 9(pt) 15(qt) 1.5 6.6 4.1 62

US D-74AL 3/16 pint/quart 15 1.5 5.9 4.1 42

US D-74AL 1/4 pint/quart 9(pt) 15(qt) 1.5 5.9 4.1 42

US D-95 3/16 liter 15 1.7 6.2 4.8 64

US D-95 1/4 liter 15 2.0 6.7 4.8 64

US D-95 5/16 liter 15 2.0 6.7 4.8 64

US D-96 3/16 3 liters 110 2.0 12.5 4.0 132

US D-96 1/4 3 liters 60 2.0 12.5 4.0 132

US D-96 5/16 3 liters 39 2.0 12.5 4.0 132

US D-96A1 3/16 3 liters 110 2.0 6.0 4.0 80

US D-96A1 1/4 3 liters 60 2.0 6.0 4.0 80

US D-96A1 5/16 3 liters 39 2.0 6.0 4.0 80

US D-99 3/16 6 liters 220 3.5 15.0 9.5 275

US D-99 1/4 6 liters 120 3.0 15.0 9.5 275

US D-99 5/16 6 liters 78 3.0 15.0 9.5 275

US P-61A1 3/16 pint/quart 180(pt) 120(qt) 1.5 10.0 4.3 105

US P-63 3/16 pint/quart 180(pt) 120(qt) 1.5 15.0 5.9 200

US P-72 3/16 pint/quart 72(pt) 51(qt) 1.5 5.3 4.3 41

Note: Italicized samplers serve the dual purpose of suspended-sediment and water-quality sampling and meet the 

protocols for water-quality sampling as outlined in the USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of WaterQuality Data7
OFR 2005-1087 7

US DH-48 

The US DH-488 is a lightweight hand-held depthintegrating sampler used for the collection of suspendedsediment samples in wadeable streams. The US DH-48 

was one of the first samplers designed by FISP. Like all 

FISP suspended-sediment samplers, it is designed to 

sample isokinetically, meaning that water and sediment 

enters the nozzle at the same velocity as the stream being 

sampled in order to collect a representative sample. 

The sampler is made of aluminum, weighs 3.5 lbs. 

and is approximately 10 in long. A pint milk bottle is 

used as the sample container. The pint milk bottle container is held in place and sealed against a rubber gasket 

by a hand operated, spring tensioned clamp at the rear 

of the sampler. A brass 1/4-in internal diameter intake 

nozzle extends horizontally from the nose of the sampler 

body. A streamlined projection on the side of the sampler 

that points toward the rear of the sampler accommodates 

the air exhaust port that allows air to escape from the 

sample bottle as it fills with sample. 

A standard 1/2-in diameter wading rod is threaded 

into the top of the sampler body for suspending the 

sampler. To sample to depths greater than can be waded, 

wading rod extensions in 1- and 3-ft lengths can be 

added to the sampler. With the extensions, the sampler 

can be deployed from a low bridge or boat. The unsampled zone using the US DH-48 is 3.5 in. The sampler can 

be used in velocities that range from 1.5 to 8.9 ft/sec. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-48 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler9

, available at the 

FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

US DH-81 

The US DH-81 is depth-integrating suspended-sediment and water-quality sampler fabricated using parts 

from other FISP approved suspended-sediment samplers. 

It meets the protocols for water-quality sampling as 

outlined in the USGS’s National Field Manual for the 

Collection of Water-Quality Data7. The US DH-81A is 

a plastic adapter with a threaded insert that accepts a 

1/2-in diameter wading rod and is used with a variety of 

caps, nozzles, and containers to assemble a hand-held 

sediment sampler designated as the US DH-81. The 

US DH-81A will accept a plastic US D-77 cap or a US 

D-95 tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) cap. The US D-77 cap 

is threaded to accept a container with Mason jar threads. 

The US D-95 cap is threaded to accept a 1-liter fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) bottle. US D-77 plastic 

and TFE nozzles with internal diameters of 3/16, 1/4, 

and 5/16 in can be used with the US D-77 and US D-95 

caps. The metal wading rod used with the US DH-81A 

is covered with plastic heat-shrink tubing to help prevent 

contamination of samples for trace metal analysis in 

water-quality sampling. 

The US DH-81 sampler will collect samples at an 

acceptable inflow efficiency in stream velocities ranging from 2.0 to 6.2 ft/sec with a 3/16-in nozzle, 1.5 to 

7.6 ft/sec with a 1/4-in nozzle, and 2.0 to 7.0 ft/sec with 

a 5/16-in nozzle. Based on the recommended maximum 

volume of 800 ml the US DH-81 sampler will collect 

samples to a maximum recommended depth of 12 ft. The 

sampler can be used to a depth of 15 ft by collecting up 

to 1 liter of sample. To sample depths greater than can 

be waded, wading rod extensions in 1- and 3-ft lengths 

can be added to the sampler. With the extensions, the 

sampler can be deployed from a low bridge or boat. The 

unsampled zone using the US DH-81 is 4 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-81 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler11, available at the 

FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.
8 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27

, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US DH-59 

The US DH-5912 is a medium-weight hand-line suspended-sediment sampler. The sampler can be lowered 

and raised, hand over hand, with a flexible suspension 

line. It can be used in stream depths up to 15 ft and in 

steam velocities ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 ft/sec. 

The sampler is a streamlined bronze casting that is 

15 in long and weighs 22 lbs. The sampler uses a pint 

glass milk bottle. The bottle container is sealed against 

a gasket in the head cavity of the casting by pressure 

applied to the base of the bottle by a hand operated, 

spring tensioned, pull rod assembly at the rear of the 

sampler. The sampler uses a 3/16- or 1/4-in internal diameter intake nozzle that projects horizontally 

upstream from the head of the casting. As a sample is 

collected, the displaced air in the bottle is ejected downstream through the air exhaust tube integrally cast into 

the body and protected by a streamlined projection on 

the side of the head of the sampler. The unsampled zone 

using the US DH-59 is 4.5 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-59, and US DH76 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Samplers13, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US DH-76 

The US DH-76 is a medium-weight hand-line suspended-sediment sampler. The sampler can be lowered 

and raised, hand over hand, with a flexible suspension 

line. It can be used in streams with depths up to 15 ft 

and in stream velocities ranging from 1.5 to 6.6 ft/sec. 

The US DH-76 is similar in design to the US DH-59, but 

uses a quart glass bottle for additional sample volume, as 

opposed to the pint bottle used in the US DH-59. 

This sampler is a streamlined bronze casting that 

is 17 in long and weighs 25 lbs. The quart glass bottle 

sample container is sealed against a gasket in the head 

cavity of the casting by pressure applied to the base of 

the bottle by a hand operated, spring tensioned, pull rod 

assembly at the tail of the sampler. As the sampler collects a suspended-sediment sample, the displaced air in 

the bottle is ejected downstream through an air exhaust 

tube cast integrally in the body of the sampler and is 

protected by a streamlined projection alongside the head 

of the sampler. The sampler uses 3/16- and 1/4-in internal diameter nozzles. The unsampled zone using the US 

DH-76 is 4 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-59, and US DH76 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Samplers13, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.
OFR 2005-1087 9

US DH-95TM

The US DH-95TM14 is a hand-line suspended-sediment/water-quality sampler. The sampler can be lowered 

and raised, hand over hand, with a flexible suspension 

line. The US DH-95 meets the protocols for water-quality sampling as outlined in the USGS’s National Field 

Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data7. The 

sampler can be used in stream depths up to 15 ft and in 

stream velocities ranging from 1.7 to 7.4 ft/sec. 

The US DH-95TM weighs approximately 29 lbs and 

is 22 in long with the bottle, cap, and nozzle in place. 

The bottle cavity is machined from a low-lead bronze 

casting that is coated with plastic. The tail section is 

made of high-density polyethylene plastic. The sampler 

is designed to use a 1-liter FEP or plastic bottle mated to 

the US D-95 CapTM or US D-77 sampler cap and nozzle. 

Plastic and TFE nozzles with 3/16-, 1/4-, and 5/16-

in internal diameter are available. The recommended 

sample volume to be collected with the US DH-95TM

sampler is 800 ml. The unsampled zone using the US 

DH-95TM is 4.8 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-95TM Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler15, available at the 

FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27

, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US D-74 

The US D-74 is a cable-suspended suspended-sediment sampler. The sampler is lowered and raised by 

means of a suspension system such as a reel and crane or 

bridge board. It could also be used with a cableway. The 

sampler can be used in stream depths up to 15 ft and in 

stream velocities ranging from 1.5 to 6.6 ft/sec. 

The sampler has a cast bronze, streamlined body 

that is 24 in long and weighs 62 lbs. A pint or quart glass 

bottle sample container is used with the sampler. The 

head of the sampler is hinged to permit access to the 

sample container. Tail vanes are provided to orient the 

instrument into the stream flow. The US D-74 uses 3/16- 

and 1/4- in internal diameter intake nozzles that project 

into the stream current for collecting a sample. A port, 

which points downstream, is located on the side of the 

sampler head from which air escapes as it is displaced 

by the sample filling the container. The unsampled zone 

using the US D-74 is 4.1 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-74, and US D74AL Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Samplers16, available from FISP. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.
10 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

US D-74AL 

The US D-74AL is a cable-suspended suspendedsediment sampler. The sampler is lowered and raised by 

means of a suspension system such as a reel and crane or 

bridge board. It could also be used with a cableway. The 

sampler can be used in stream depths up to 15 ft and in 

stream velocities ranging from 1.5 to 5.9 ft/sec. 

The sampler has a cast aluminum, streamlined body 

that is 24 in long and weighs 42 lbs. A pint or quart glass 

bottle sample container is used with the sampler. The 

head of the sampler is hinged to permit access to the 

sample container. Tail vanes are provided to orient the 

instrument into the stream flow. The US D-74AL uses 

3/16- and 1/4- in internal diameter intake nozzles that 

project into the current for collecting a sample. A port, 

which points downstream, is located on the side of the 

sampler head from which air escapes as it is displaced by 

the sample being collected in the container. The unsampled zone using the US D-74AL is 4.1 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-74, and US D74AL Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Samplers16, available from FISP.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US D-95TM

The US D-95TM17 suspended-sediment and waterquality sampler is a depth-integrating sampler designed 

for use in streams not exceeding 15 ft in depth. It meets 

the protocols for water quality sampling as outlined in 

the USGS’s National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data7. The sampler is lowered and raised 

by means of a suspension system such as a reel and 

crane or bridge board. The sampler is designed to sample 

at an acceptable inflow efficiency in stream velocities 

ranging from 1.5 to 7.5 ft/sec. 

The sampler weighs 64 pounds and is 26 in long 

with the bottle, cap, and nozzle in place. The bronze 

body casting is coated with plastic and the tail section 

is constructed from plastic to help avoid metal contamination during water quality sampling. The sampler is 

designed to use a 1-liter Teflon or plastic bottle mated to 

the US D-95 CapTM or US D-77 sampler cap and nozzle. 

Plastic and TFE nozzles with 3/16-, 1/4-, and 5/16-in 

internal diameter are available. The unsampled zone 

using the US D-95TM is 4.8 inches. The recommended 

sample volume to be collected with the US D-95TM sampler is 800 ml. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-95TM Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler18, available at the 

FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equip-
OFR 2005-1087 11

ment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

US DH-2 

The US DH-2 is a hand-line suspended-sediment/

water-quality collapsible-bag sampler capable of collecting a 1-liter sample. The sampler can be lowered and 

raised, hand over hand, with a flexible suspension line. 

The US DH-2 meets the protocols for water quality sampling as outlined in the USGS’s National Field Manual 

for the Collection of Water-Quality Data7. The sampler 

can be used in stream depths up to 37 ft using a 3/16-in 

internal diameter nozzle, 20 ft using a 1/4-in internal 

diameter nozzle, and 13 ft using a 5/16-in internal diameter nozzle. The sampler can be used in stream velocities 

ranging from 2.0 to 6.0 ft/sec. 

The US DH-2 is fabricated from cast bronze and 

high-density polyethylene and is plastic coated. It is 19 

in long and weighs 29 lbs. The sampler uses plastic or 

TFE nozzles and plastic or PFA bags. The unsampled 

zone using the US DH-2 is 4 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US DH-2 Depth-Integrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment Sampler19, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27

, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

US D-96 

The US D-9620,21 is a collapsible-bag suspendedsediment/water-quality sampler capable of collecting a 

3-liter sample. It is 35 in long, weighs 132 lbs, and has 

a hollow cavity inside the sampler body. It is fabricated 

from bronze and aluminum castings with a high-density 

polyethylene tail. All metal parts are plastic coated. The 

sampler employs a sliding tray that supports the bag and 

holds the nozzle holder with nozzle in place. The bag is 

attached to the nozzle holder with a hook-and-loop strap. 

The sampler uses a plastic or TFE nozzle and a plastic 

or PFA bag as the sample container. The US D-96 meets 

the protocol for water-quality sampling as outlined in 

the USGS’s National Field Manual for the Collection 

of Water-Quality Data7. The sampler is protected by US 

Patent No. 6,216,549 B1. 

The US D-96 sampler will collect acceptable flowweighted samples in streams velocities ranging from 2.0 

to 12.5 ft/sec. Extreme care should be practiced when 

deploying the sampler at stream velocities above 10 

ft/sec. The US D-96 sampler is capable of sampling to a 

depth of 39 ft with a 5/16-in internal diameter nozzle, 60 

ft with a 1/4 in internal diameter nozzle, and 110 ft with 

a 3/16-in internal diameter nozzle. The unsampled zone 

using the US D-96 sampler 4 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-96 Depth-Integrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment Sampler22, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 
12 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27

, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US D-96-A1 

The US D-96-A123 is a collapsible-bag suspendedsediment/water-quality sampler capable of collecting a 

3-liter sample. It is 35 in long, weighs 82 lbs, and has a 

hollow cavity inside the sampler body. It is fabricated 

from aluminum and bronze castings with a high-density 

polyethylene tail. All metal parts are plastic coated. The 

sampler employs a sliding tray that supports the bag and 

holds the nozzle holder with nozzle in place. The bag is 

attached to the nozzle holder with a hook-and-loop strap. 

The sampler uses a plastic or TFE nozzle and a plastic 

or PFA bag as the sample container. The US D-96-A1 

meets the protocol for water-quality sampling as outlined 

in the USGS’s National Field Manual for the Collection 

of Water-Quality Data7. The sampler is protected by US 

Patent No. 6,216,549 B1. 

The US D-96-A1 sampler will collect acceptable 

flow-weighted samples in stream velocities ranging from 

2 to 6 ft/sec. The US D-96-A1 sampler is theoretically 

capable of sampling to a depth of 39 ft with a 5/16-in 

internal diameter nozzle, 60 ft with a 1/4-in internal 

diameter nozzle, and 110 ft with a 3/16-in internal diameter nozzle. However, in field use in streams with high 

velocities, obtainable sampling depths will likely be less 

than theoretical due to the large drift angle created by the 

sampler in high stream velocities. The unsampled zone 

using the US D-96-A1 sampler is 4 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-96-A1 Depth-Integrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment Sampler24, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques 

of Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27

, available 

at: http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US D-99 

The US D-99 is a collapsible-bag suspendedsediment/water-quality sampler capable of collecting a 

6-liter sample. It is 39 in long, weighs 275 lbs, and has 

a hollow cavity inside the sampler body. It is fabricated 

from a bronze casting with a high-density polyethylene 

tail. It has a hinged head that closes horizontally and 

holds the nozzle holder and nozzle in place. All metal 

parts are plastic coated. The bag is attached to the nozzle 

holder with a hook-and-loop strap. The sampler uses 

a plastic or TFE nozzle and a plastic or PFA bag as 

the sample container. The US D-99 meets the protocol 

for water quality sampling as outlined in the USGS’s 

National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data7

. 

The US D-99 sampler will collect acceptable flowweighted samples in stream velocities ranging from 3.0 

to 15 ft/sec. Extreme care should be practiced when 

deploying the sampler at stream velocities above 10 

ft/sec. The US D-99 sampler is capable of sampling to 

a depth of 78 ft with a 5/16-in internal diameter nozzle, 

120 ft with a 1/4-in internal diameter nozzle, and 220 ft 

with a 3/16-in internal diameter nozzle. The unsampled 

zone using the US D-99 is 9.5 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 
OFR 2005-1087 13

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Operator’s Manual for the US D-99 Depth-Integrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment Sampler25, 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, 

R.T., 1998, National Field Manual for the Collection of 

Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geological Survey hniques of 

Water-Resources Investigations, Selection of Equipment 

for Water Sampling, book 9, chap. A27, available at: 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

US P-61-A1 

The US P-61-A1 is a point-integrating suspendedsediment sampler that has an electrically operated valve 

for starting and stopping the collection of a sample. The 

sampler is lowered to the desired depth in the water 

column, the sample collected by remotely opening and 

closing the valve, and then the sampler is raised to the 

surface for removal of the sample container. 

The sampler has a streamlined cast bronze body 

28 in long that weighs 105 lbs. It has tail fins to orient 

the sampler so that the intake nozzle in the head points 

directly into the approaching flow. The sampler head 

is hinged to provide access to the pint or quart bottle 

sample container located in a cavity in the sampler body. 

An exhaust port pointing downstream on the side of the 

sampler head permits escape of air from the sample container as it is displaced by the sample being collected. 

The sampler uses a 3/16-in internal diameter nozzle and 

can be used in stream velocities ranging from 1.5 to 10 

ft/sec. It can be used to a depth of 180 ft with a pint container and 120 ft with a quart container. 

To eliminate a sudden inrush of sample due to 

hydrostatic pressure, the diving bell principle is used to 

balance the air pressure in the bottle with the hydrostatic 

pressure at the nozzle prior to opening the valve at the 

start of sampling. The “diving bell” in the sampler is the 

body cavity behind and surrounding the sample container. It is connected by ports through the valve system 

to the surrounding stream and to the sample bottle. 

The operating current may be supplied by the US 

RBP-95 rechargeable battery pack, which is sold separately. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US P-61-A1 Point-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler26 is available at the 

FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US P-72 

The US P-72 is a point-integrating suspended-sediment sampler that has an electrically operated valve for 

starting and stopping the collection of a sample. The 

sampler is lowered to the desired depth in the water 

column, the sample collected by remotely opening and 

closing the valve, and then the sampler raised is to the 

surface for removal of the sample container. 

The sampler has a streamlined cast aluminum body 

28 in long that weighs 41 lbs. It has tail fins to orient 

the sampler so that the intake nozzle in the head points 

directly into the approaching flow. The sampler head 

is hinged to provide access to the pint or quart bottle 

sample container located in a cavity in the sampler body. 

An exhaust port pointing downstream on the side of the 
14 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

sampler head permits escape of air from the sampler 

container as it is displaced by the sample being collected. The sampler uses a 3/16-in internal diameter 

nozzle and can be used in stream velocities ranging from 

1.5 to 5.3 ft/sec. It can be used to a depth of 72 ft with a 

pint container and 51 ft with a quart container. 

To eliminate sudden inrush at a selected sampling 

point below the water surface, the diving bell principle 

is used to balance the air pressure in the bottle with the 

hydrostatic pressure at the nozzle prior to opening the 

valve at the start of sampling. The “diving bell” in the 

sampler is the body cavity behind and surrounding the 

sample container. It is connected by ports through the 

valve system to the surrounding stream and to the sample 

bottle.

The operating current may be supplied by the US 

RBP-95 rechargeable battery pack, which is sold separately.

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following reference: 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US P-63 

The US P-63 is a point-integrating suspended-sediment sampler that has an electrically operated valve for 

starting and stopping the collection of a sample. The 

sampler is lowered to the desired depth in the water 

column, the sample collected by remotely opening and 

closing the valve, and then the sampler is raised to the 

surface for removal of the sample container. 

The sampler has a streamlined cast bronze body 

37 in long that weighs 200 lbs. It has tail fins to orient 

the sampler so that the intake nozzle in the head points 

directly into the approaching flow. The sampler head 

is hinged to provide access to the pint or quart bottle 

sample container located in a cavity in the sampler body. 

An exhaust port pointing downstream on the side of the 

sampler head permits escape of air from the sample container as it is displaced by the sample being collected. 

The sampler uses a 3/16-in internal diameter nozzle and 

can be used in stream velocities ranging from 1.5 to 15 

ft/sec, and to a depth of 180 ft with a pint container and 

120 ft with a quart container. 

To eliminate a sudden inrush of sample due to 

hydrostatic pressure, the diving bell principle is used to 

balance the air pressure in the bottle with the hydrostatic 

pressure at the nozzle prior to opening the valve at the 

start of sampling. The “diving bell” in the sampler is the 

body cavity behind and surrounding the sample container. It is connected by ports through the valve system 

to the surrounding stream and to the sample bottle. 

The operating current may be supplied by the US 

RBP-95 rechargeable battery pack, which is sold separately. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following reference: 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US RBMH-80 

The US RBMH-80 is a hand-held rotary-scoop 

bed-material sampler with a semi-cylindrical bucket for 

collecting the sample. Operation is simple: the sampler 

is placed on the streambed and the lever on the handle 

closes the bucket, collecting the sample. The sampled 

material is protected from washing out while rising 
OFR 2005-1087 15

through the water column. The sampler is approximately 

56 in long and weighs 8 lbs. 

The sampler can be used in sand-bed and gravelbed streams up to approximately 3 ft deep. It will collect 

a sample volume of approximately 15 in3 (250 cm3) of 

material and will sample to a maximum bed material 

depth of 1.75 in. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following reference: 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US BMH-53 

The US BMH-53 is a hand-held piston-type bedmaterial sampler. The sampler is used to collect a sample 

of material from the bed of a shallow stream. The overall 

length of the tubular sampler is 46 in and it weighs 7.5 

lbs. 

The lower end of the sampler contains a 2-in diameter, 8 in long cylinder that is pressed into the stream bed 

to collect the sample. A handle for pressing the cylinder 

into the bed is on the upper end, and passes through the 

sampler frame to the piston inside. The suction created by the piston holds the sample in the cylinder. The 

sample is pushed out of the cylinder by the piston. 

The US BMH-53 sampler will not work for some 

bed materials, such as coarse sands and gravels. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following reference: 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3 chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US SAH-97TM

The US SAH-97TM is a hand-held size analyzer used 

to grade or measure gravel and small cobble-size bed 

sediments in the field. Generic names are gravelometers, 

gravel templates, and pebblemeters.

The unit is 11 in by 13 in and constructed from 

1/8 in thick 6061 aluminum. The US SAH-97TM has 

14 square holes of common sieve sizes (1/2-phi unit 

classes) ranging from 2 mm to 180 mm. There is also a 

scale along one side that can be used to measure up to 

310 mm. The scale is in 10-mm increments. A particle 

is sized by passing it through the smallest hole possible, 

along the particle’s smallest axis.

Instructions for use of the SAH-97 can be found in 

the Operator’s Manual for the US SAH-97 Hand-Held 

Size Analyzer “Gravelometer”27 available at the FISP 

website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

Additional sampling information is available in 

USDA Forest Service General Technical Report RMRSGTR-74: Sampling Surface and Subsurface ParticleSize Distributions in Wadable Gravel- and Cobble-Bed 

Streams for Analyses in Sediment Transport, Hydraulics, 

and Streambed Monitoring, 2001, by Kristin Bunte and 

Steven Abt.28
16 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

US BMH-60

The US BMH-60 is a hand-line bed-material 

sampler. It is used to collect samples from the bed of 

a stream, lake, or a reservoir. Penetration into the bed 

material is approximately 1.7 in. The sampler can be 

suspended from a flexible line and lowered and raised by 

hand. The weight of the sampler limits its use to tranquil 

streams and moderate or slightly compacted sand and 

pebble bed materials. 

The US BMH-60 is 22 in long and weighs 32 lbs. 

The body of the sampler is made of aluminum. Ballast 

makes the sampler nose heavy by about four pounds to 

assist the sampling bucket mechanism in penetrating the 

bed material of the stream. The sampling bucket accommodates approximately 11 in3

 (175 cm3) of material 

and is spring loaded by cross-curved, constant-torque, 

motor-type springs. Tension on the hand suspension line 

or use of a specially made safety yoke allows the bucket 

to be cocked in the open position by means of a wrench. 

Once the bucket is fully retracted within the body shell 

of the sampler, it is ready to take a sample. As long as 

the safety yoke is in place, the bucket mechanism cannot 

be released. For sampling, the safety yoke is removed 

and the sampler lowered by the hand line until the sampler rests on the bottom of the stream. Once the tension 

on the suspension line is reduced to a specified amount, 

the spring-loaded cocking device will release the bucket 

mechanism. The rapidly closing bucket penetrates the 

streambed and completely encloses a sample of the 

bed material. Gaskets prevent loss or contamination of 

the trapped sample. Once the sampler is raised to the 

surface, the bed material sample can be transferred to a 

container.

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US BM-54 and US 

BMH-60 Bed-Material Samplers29, available from FISP. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p. 10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

US BM-54 

The US BM-5430 is a cable-suspended bed-material 

sampler. It is used to collect sand and gravel samples 

from the bed of a stream, lake, or a reservoir. Penetration 

into the bed material is approximately 2 in. 

The US BM-54 is 22 in long and weighs 100 lbs. 

The body of the sampler is made of cast iron. The 

spring-loaded sampling bucket accommodates approximately 18 in3

 (300 cm3) of material. Tension on the cable 

suspension line allows the bucket to be cocked in the 

open position by means of a wrench. Once the bucket is 

fully retracted within the bodshell of the sampler, it is 

ready to take a sample. To collect a bed-material sample, 

the sampler is lowered by reel until it rests on the bottom 

of the stream. Once the tension on the cable is reduced 

to a specified amount, the spring-loaded cocking device 

will release the bucket mechanism. The rapidly closing 

bucket penetrates the streambed and completely encloses 

a sample of the bed material. Gaskets prevent loss or 

contaminatiof the trapped sample. Once the sampler is 

raised to the surface, the bed material samplcan be transferred to a container. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Operator’s Manual for the US BM-54 and US 

BMH-60 Bed-Material Samplers29, available from FSIP.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.
OFR 2005-1087 17

US BLH-84 

The US BLH-84 is a wading-type hand-held bedload sampler. The sampler consists of an expanding 

nozzle, a sample bag, and a wading rod assembly. The 

sampler design enables collection of particle siznozzle 

and an area expansion ratio (ratio of nozzle exit area to 

entrance area) of 1.4. A polyester mesh bag with mesh 

openings of 0.25 mm is attached to the rear of the nozzle 

assembly with a rubber “O” ring. 

The sampler is constructed of aluminum, weighs 10 

lbs and is 28 in long. 

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references: 

Sampling with the US BL-84 Bedload Sampler31, 

available on the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil. 

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/. 

Additional information about pressure-differential 

bedload samplers is listed in the uncited references section of this report.

US BL-84

The US BL-84 is a cable-suspended bedload sampler used to collect samples from streams that cannot 

be waded. The sampler consists of an expanding nozzle 

mounteda frame, and a sampler bag. The sampler design 

enables collection of particle sizes larger than the bag 

mesh opening and smaller than 1.5 in (38 mm) at stream 

velocities up to 9ft/sec. The sampler has a 3 by 3 in 

entrance nozzle and an area expansion ratio (ratio of 

nozzle exit area to entrance area) of 1.4. A 295 in2 polyester mesh sample bag 18 in long with mesh openings of 

0.25 mm is attached to the rear of the nozzle assembly 

with a rubber “O” ring.

The US BL-84 is constructed of stainless steel and 

aluminum, weighs 32 lbs and is 36 in long. It is equipped 

with tail fins that orient it into the stream-flow. The 

sampler must be supported by a steel cable and reel to 

be lowered into a river or stream for taking a bed load 

sample. At high stream velocities, a tether line may be 

required.

Where and how the sampler is deployed in the field 

is as important as the fundamental design of the sampler. 

Additional information about how to properly use this 

sampler can be found in the following references:

Sampling with the US BL-84 Bedload Sampler32, 

available on the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999, Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: U.S. 

Geological Survey Techniques of Water Resources 

Investigations, book 3, chapter C2, 89 p.10, available at 

http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

Additional information about pressure-differential 

bedload samplers is listed in the uncited references section of this report.
18 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

References

1. Skinner, J.V., 1989. History of the Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project, Proceedings of the 

International Symposium, Sediment Transport 

Modeling, Sam S.Y. Wang, ed., American Society 

of Civil Engineers, New Orleans, pp. 266-271.

2. Gray, J.R., and Glysson, G.D., 2004. Traditional 

and New Methods to Derive Sediment-Discharge 

Information in the United States, Proceedings, 9th

International Symposium on River Sedimentation.

3. The National Water-Quality Assessment Pro- gram—Entering a new decade of investigations, 

2001. U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 071-01.

4. Guidance for Water Quality-based Decisions: 

The TMDL Process, 1991. EPA 440/491-001.

5. ASTM D 4411-03, 2004. Standard Guide for 

Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion, Section 

3.1.4.

6. FISP Report No. 3, 1941. Analytical Study of 

Methods of Sampling Susppended Sediment, page 

14.

7. Wilde, F.D., Radtke, D.B., Gibs, J., and Iwatsubo, R.T., 1998. National Field Manual for the 

Collection of Water-Quality Data: U.S. Geo- logical Survey Techniques of Water-Resources 

Investigations, Selection of Equipment for Water 

Sampling, Book 9, Chapter A28.

8. FISP Report No. 6, 1952. The Design of 

Improved Types of Suspended-Sediment Samplers.

9. FISP Report J, 1962. Operating Instructions for 

US DH-48 Suspended-Sediment Sampler

10. Edwards, T.K., and Glysson, G.D., 1999. Field 

Methods for Measurement of Fluvial Sediment: 

U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water 

Resources Investigations, Book 3, Chapter C2, 89 

p., available at http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/twri/.

11. Operator’s Manual for the US DH-81 DepthIntegrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler, avail- able at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

12. FISP Report O, 1965. Instructions for Sampling 

with Depth-Inegrating Sediment Samplers US D49 and US DH-59.

13. Operator’s Manual for the US DH-59, and US 

DH-76 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment 

Samplers, available at the FISP website: http://

fisp.wes.army.mil.

14. FISP Report MM, 2000. Development of the 

US DH-95TM Suspended-Sediment Sampler.

15. Operator’s Manual for the US DH-95TM DepthIntegrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler, avail- able at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

16. Operator’s Manual for the US D-74, and US 

D-74AL Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment 

Samplers, available from FISP.

17. FISP Report LL, 2000. Development of the 

US-95TM Suspended-Sediment Sampler.

18. Operator’s Manual for the US D-95TM DepthIntegrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler, avail- able at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.

19. Operator’s Manual for the US D-2 Depth-Inte- grating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment 

Sampler, available at the FISP website: http://fisp.

wes.army.mil.

20. FISP Report PP, 2002. The US-96: An Isokinetic Suspended-Sediment/Water-Quality Collapsible-Bag Sampler.

21. FISP Report PP-Addendum I, 2002. The US 

D-96: An Isokinetic Suspended-Sediment/WaterQuality Collapsible-Bag Sampler–Perfluoroalk- oxy-Polyethylene Collapsible Bag Comparison.

22. Operator’s Manual for the US D-96 DepthIntegrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment 

Sampler, available at the FISP website: http://fisp.

wes.army.mil.

23. FISP Report PP-Addendum II, 2003. The US 

D-96: An Isokinetic Suspended-Sediment/WaterQuality Collapsible-Bag Sampler—The US D-96-

A1: A Lightweight Verison of the US D-96.

24. Operator’s Manual for the US D-96-A1 DepthIntegrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment 

Sampler, available at the FISP website: http://

fisp.wes.army.mil.

25. Operator’s Manual for the US D-99 DepthIntegrating Collapsible-Bag Suspended-Sediment 

Sampler, available at the FISP website: http://

fisp.wes.army.mil.

26. Operator’s Manual for the US D-61-A1 PointIntegrating Suspended-Sediment Sampler is available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.army.mil.
OFR 2005-1087 19

27. Instructions for use for the SAH-97 can be 

found in the Operator’s Manual for the US SAH97 Hand-Held Size Analyzer “Gravelometer” 

available at the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.

army.mil.

28. Bunte, Kristin, and Abt, Steven, 2001. USDA 

Forest Service General Technical Report RMRSGTS-74: Sampling Surface and Subsurface Particle-Size Distributions in Wadable Gravel- and 

Cobble-Bed Streams for Anayses in Sediment 

Transport, Hydraulics, and Streambed Monitoring.

29. Operator’s Manual for the US BM-54 and US 

BMH-60 Bed-Material Samplers available from 

FISP.

30. FISP Report M, 1964. Operation and Mainte- nance of the US BM-54 Bed-Material Sampler.

31. Sampling with the US BL-84 Bedload Sampler, 

available on the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.

army.mil.

32. Sampling with the US BL-84 Bedload Sampler, 

available on the FISP website: http://fisp.wes.

army.mil.

Uncited Bedload Sampler References

Beschta, R.L., 1981. Increased bag size improves 

Helley-Smith bed load sampler for use in streams 

with high sand and organic matter transport, in: 

Erosion and Sediment Transport Measurement: 

IAHS Publ. 133: 17-25.

Bunte, K. and Abt, S.R., 2003. Sampler size and 

sampling time affect measured bedload transport 

rates and particle sizes measured with bedload 

traps in gravel-bed streams, in: Erosion and Sediment Transport Measurement in Rivers: Technological and Methodological Advances. J. Bogen, 

T. Fergus and D. Walling (eds.), IAHS-Publication No. 283, p. 126-133.

Childers, D., 1991. Sampling differences between 

the Helley-Smith and BL-84 bedload samplers, in: 

Proc., 5th Fed. Interagency Sedimentation Con- ference, Las Vegas, Nevada, VI 31 - VI 38.

Childers, D., 1999. Field comparison of six-pressure-difference bedload samplers in high energy 

flow: U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resource 

Investigations Report 92-4068, Vancouver, Wash- ington, 59 pp.

Childers, D., Kresch, D.L., Gustafson, S.A., Randle, 

T.J., Melena, J.T., and Cluer, B., 2000. Hydrologic data collected during the 1994 Lake Mills 

drawdown experiment, Elwha River, Washington: 

U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigation Report 99-4215, 115 p.

Druffel, L., Emmett, W.W., Schneider, V.R., and 

Skinner, J.V., 1976. Laboratory hydraulic calibration of the Helley-Smith bedload sediment sampler: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 

76-752.

Emmett, W.W., 1980. A field calibration of the sedi- ment trapping characteristics of the Helley-Smith 

bedload sampler: U.S. Geological Survey Profes- sional Paper 1139, Washington, D.C.

Emmett, W.W., 1981. Measurement of bed load in 

rivers, in: Erosion and Sediment Transport Mea- surements: IAHS Publication No. 133: 3-15.

Emmett, W.W., Burrows, R.L., and Chacho, E.F., 

1996. Coarse-particle transport in a gravel-bed 

river: International Journal of Sediment Research 

11 (2): 8-21.

Gao, H., 1991. The comparison tests of gravel bed 

load samplers, in: Procedures, 5th Federal Inter- agency Sedimentation Conference, Las Vegas, 

Nevada, VI 55 - VI 62.

Gaudet, J.M., Roy, J.B., and Best, J.B., 1994. 

Effects of orientation and size of Helley-Smith 

sampler on its efficiency: Journal of Hydraulic 

Engineering, 120(6): 758-766.

Helley, E.J. and Smith, W., 1971. Development and 

calibration of a pressure-difference bedload sampler: U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources 

Division, Open-File Report, Menlo Park, California.

Hubbell, D.W., 1964. Apparatus and techniques 

for measuring bedload: U.S. Geological Survey, 

Water Supply Paper 1748.

Hubbell, D.W., Stevens, H.H., and Beverage, J.P., 

1985. New approach to calibrating bed load samplers: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 111(4): 

677-694.

Hubbell, D.W., Stevens, H.H., Skinner, J.V., and 

Beverage, J.P., 1987. Laboratory Data on CoarseSediment Transport for Bedload-Sampler Cali- brations: U.S. Geological Survey, Water-Supply 

Paper 2299.
20 A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers

Johnson, C.W., Engleman, R.L., Smith, J.P., and 

Hansen, C.L., 1977. Helley-Smith bed load samplers: Journal of the Hydraulics Division, ASCE, 

103 (HY10): 1217-1221.

Ryan, S.E., 1997. Measuring Bedload in CourseGrained Mountain Channels: Procedures, Problems, and Recommendations, Water Resources 

Education, Training, and Practice: Opportunities 

fro the Next Century, American Water Resources 

Association, pp. 949-958.

Ryan, S.E., 2004. The use of Pressure-Difference 

Samplers in Measuring Bedload Transport in 

Small, Coarse-Grained Alluvial Channels, avail- able at http://water.usgs.gov/osw/techniques/sedi- ment/sedsurrogate2003workshop/listofpapers.

html.

Ryan, S.E. and Emmett, W.W., 2002. The nature 

of flow and sediment movement in Little Granite 

Creek near Bondurant, Wyoming: USDA Forest 

Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Gen- eral Technical Report RMRS-GTR-90.

Sterling, S.M. and Church, M., 2002. Sediment trapping characteristics of a pit trap and 

the Helley-Smith sampler in a cobble gravelbed river: Water Resources Research 38(6), 

10.1029/2000WR000052.
Broderick E. Davis—A Guide to the Proper Selection and Use of Federally Approved Sediment and Water-Quality Samplers—Open-File Report 2005-1087

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