Parshall Flumes are used to measure what?

Prepare for the American Water Works Water Treatment Plant Operator Test. Study with multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Get ready to excel!

Parshall flumes measure discharge in open-channel flow. They are installed in channels where water flows freely under atmospheric pressure, and their tapered, fixed geometry creates a known relationship between the upstream water depth and the flow rate that passes through the throat. By reading the water depth at a specified point and applying the standard rating, you can determine how much water is moving through the channel. They are not used for closed-pipe flow, water quality assessment, or pressure measurement, which is why open-channel flow is the correct context for Parshall flumes.