_______ is usually measured in cubic meters per second.
The discharge of a river is the volume of water which flows through it in a given time. It is usually measured in cubic meters per second. The volume of the discharge will be determined by factors such as climate, vegetation, soil type, drainage basin relief and the activities of man. Calculation. Discharge is very easy to calculate, being the cross-sectional area of the channel multiplied by the velocity of the water.