Refined method II (Figure 8.2(c)). A refinement which avoids the need
for accurate timing can be useful on fast flowing streams. Here a float,
e.g. a table tennis ball, is released from a standard depth below the
surface. The time for it to rise to the surface is independent of its horizontal
motion and can easily be calibrated in the laboratory. Measuring
the horizontal distance required for the float to rise gives the speed in
the usual way. Moreover what is measured is the mean speed (although
averaged over depth rather than over cross section the difference is
small).