Šamanović et al. (2026) Determination of the Surface Watercourse Velocities by Using the Propeller Current Meter, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Mobile Phone

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Identification

• Journal: Water
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-21
• Authors: Sanja Šamanović, Bojan Đurin, Vlado Cetl, Farhad Bahmanpouri
• DOI: 10.3390/w18020273

Research Groups

Not specified in the provided text.

Short Summary

This paper presents an algorithm to compare and quantify differences between surface velocity measurement approaches using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), mobile phones, and traditional instruments. It demonstrates that video-based surface velocity estimation is feasible, with UAVs performing better in turbulent flows and mobile phones in smoother conditions with natural tracers.

Objective

• To develop and apply an algorithm for comparing and quantifying the differences between surface velocity measurement approaches using UAVs, mobile phones, and traditional field instruments (Propeller Current Meter).

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: A cross-profile section of the Bednja River in Croatia.
• Temporal Scale: Real-world case study; specific duration not provided.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: An algorithm developed for comparing surface velocity measurement approaches.
• Data sources: Video imagery from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and mobile phones, and point velocity measurements from a Propeller Current Meter (PCM).

Main Results

• Video-based surface velocity estimation using UAV and mobile phone imagery is feasible under real river conditions.
• The accuracy of video-based methods strongly depends on flow conditions and surface characteristics.
• UAV recordings provide reliable results in fast and turbulent flows.
• Mobile phone videos yield more stable performance in smoother flow conditions, especially when additional surface texture is available from natural tracers.

Contributions

• Presents a novel algorithm for systematically comparing and quantifying differences across various surface velocity measurement techniques.
• Demonstrates the practical feasibility and conditional accuracy of UAV and mobile phone video-based surface velocity estimation in real river environments.
• Provides insights into the optimal application of UAVs (turbulent flows) versus mobile phones (smoother flows with tracers) for surface velocity measurements.

Funding

Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Šamanović2026Determination,
  author = {Šamanović, Sanja and Đurin, Bojan and Cetl, Vlado and Bahmanpouri, Farhad},
  title = {Determination of the Surface Watercourse Velocities by Using the Propeller Current Meter, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Mobile Phone},
  journal = {Water},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.3390/w18020273},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020273}
}