A detailed protocol for the determination of stream discharge is presented which requires neither a current meter nor actual entry into streamwater. The protocol represents a modification of the flotation method of discharge determination and was devised in response to the need for a simple, inexpensive, “bank-side” technique for estimation of stream flow. Discharge is determined through measurements of a stream’s cross-sectional area and surface velocity. In tests at high and low flows, mean discharges determined by the proposed flotation method were not significantly different from those calculated using a standardized, current-meter method. This suggested that me proposed flotation method (a 10–20 min procedure) could be used with reasonable accuracy to determine discharge in small to moderate-sized streams.