Water Level Observing Technologies Overview - Mitigation ...

1Sutron Corporation Hydrological, Meteorological, Oceanic, Geotechnical, Aviation, and Air Quality sutron.com

Water Level Observing Technologies Overview

June 3, 2014

Presented By:Dan FarrellSutron R&D


Water Levels -- Dams/Reservoir/Lakes

Flaming Gorge Reservoir/Green River


Water Levels -- Oceans/Ports/Tidal Areas

MARINEMET Radar Tide Station in Praia, Cape Verde


Water Levels -- Rivers

Big rivers, such as the MississippiSmall rivers

Not all rivers are the same. Different characteristics and can be measured in different ways.


Water Levels -- Streams/Creeks

Stilling well measuring a small stream Automatic Weather Station (AWS)also measuring a creek

Small streams and creeks can also be very different


Water Levels -- Dry/Flashy Sites

Dry Channels may rise quickly during a major rain event. What type of sensor would be the correct choice?


Water Levels -- Groundwater

Real-Time Ground Water Monitoring


Water Levels -- Sensors Types

Stilling Well (Shaft Encoder)

Bubbler

Radar (non-contact)

Submersible Pressure Transducer


Submersible Pressure Transducer

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=BkaKX2QChv5v5M&tbnid=qXcgc0jfZaqlcM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http://nd.water.usgs.gov/ukraine/english/how.html&ei=WCLwUtG5BOG8yAGg6IDgDQ&psig=AFQjCNFl2ZeRHm-YQtw8-PSykYt7nopk6Q&ust=1391555437940922


Submersible Pressure Transducer cont.

When to Use Submersible PT:• Groundwater Application

• Cost effective

• Quick Deployment


Bubbler

Snake River, below Jackson Lake


Bubbler cont.

Drawing Depicts a Typical Orifice Line Installation


Bubbler cont.

Dual orifice bubblers offer the following advantages:• Two dedicated water level readings• Density calculations using fixed known vertical orifice separation• Salinity calculations using optional temp sensor• Sedimentation calculations using the density and salinity

Dual Orifice Bubbler

http://softwebcms.com/sutron/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Dual_Orifice_Bubbler.jpg


Bubbler cont.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Bubblers

General Advantages:• Great Data From Almost any Location• Electronics are out of the water• Much easier to install than stilling well• No effects of drying sites• No effects from dirty water (other than density changes)• Loss under extreme event is minimal• Less susceptible to lightning• Great complement to Radar.

• Bubbler accuracy increases as Radar accuracy decreases• No drop out in bubbler measurements when surface conditions get

General Disadvantages:• Orifice line obstruction/fouling• Orifice line installation can be challenging• Rapid change in stage (solved with FastTrack Mode in CFB)


Installation Examples

Bridge Monitoring Station with Rain Gauge

Orifice Line


Radar


Radar cont.

18Sutron Corporation Radar Level Recorder (RLR) sutron.com

• Some radars estimate distance to water using time-of-flight principle

• Other radars use FMCW (Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave).

• Radar transmits a RF pulse or CW.

• When it hits water surface, a reflected pulse is sent back towards the radar.

• Radar analyzes the pulse and constructs range profile.

Radar cont.


Radar cont.

When to Use Radars:• Existing Structure

• Surface Water Application

• Rapid Deployment


(In Slide Show View click for animated demonstration of the Profiler.)

Radar Constructed Range Profile


Radar cont.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Radars

General Advantages:• Non-Contact• Easy Technology• Easy to Troubleshoot• Easy to Install• No effects from dirty water

General Disadvantages:• Need a Stable Structure• Moving Structures


[Caption]

RLR Performance

Internal study by Sutron showing RLR as a reliable alternative to bubbler systemSutron Radar stage measurements track Sutron Bubbler measurements closely

Comparing Sutron Accubar and Sutron Radar in stage measurements


RLR Wave Height Estimation

Hm0 is Significant wave height data

Sutron Radar closely follows the reference underwater 6m AWAC sensors.

Tp is peak wave period

Data are provided by the Field Research Facility, Field Data Collections and Analysis Branch,

US Army Corps of Engineers, Duck, North Carolina and NOS Chesapeake, Virginia.


New Mesh Networks Eliminate Wiring and work with all type sensors


Network Sensor using wireless link

• Multiple Sutron Radar Level Recorders can be connected to the same network.

• A single datalogger can acquire stage values without the cost of complex wiring.



Pivot Bridge Mounting for Easier Access & Maintenance - Tennessee



Omo River, Ethiopia


Wells with solar Panel

29Sutron Corporation Hydrological, Meteorological, Oceanic, Geotechnical, Aviation, and Air Quality sutron.com29

•Display Bulletins from NHC and NWS

•Display actual and forecast tides and weather

• Forecast Models

• Precipitation Amounts

• Flooding

•Wind Speeds and Gusts

•Wave Heights

Do Something More with your Data!

Integrate your data with Satellite Imagery, Forecasts, Predictions and data from USGS, USACE, NOAA, NWS


Do Something More with your Data

1. Weather Radar (rain, winds, significant weather)

2. Satellite Imagery (hurricane and storm tracking)- Visible, Infrared, Water Vapor

3. Numerical Weather Prediction Models (NWP) (forecasting)- GFS Global Model- NAM Meso Scale Model- NHC National Hurricane predictions

4. Tides- WWII Wind waves numerical model- NOAA Tide data- Slosh Models (surge models)

5. Lightning (general hazards and a general indicator of storm severity)

6. Local Surface Station data (situation awareness)- AWOS, ASOS, Synop, At Hoc local stations


Do Something Great with your Data!

• Risk Mitigation

• Improved Decision Making

• Heightened Situational Awareness

• Resource Protection

• Resource Conservation

• Alerting

Water Level Observing Technologies Overview - Mitigation ...

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