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Water Level & Flow
Instrumentation for Stand-alone Monitoring and Control
Campbell Scientific's systems for unattended, long-term monitoring of water level and flow provide
unmatched versatility and reliability. Our systems measure flow and level in many environments including
wells, dams, streams, weirs, stormwater systems, and water treatment or wastewater treatment plants.
Reliability is not compromised by salinity level, pollution levels, or other harsh environmental
conditions. Key components of our water level measurement systems are dataloggers, sensors, and
communications devices, which can be customized for each site.
Water Level Monitoring System Benefits
- Systems are customized by choosing number of channels, sensors, and communications method.
- Multiple channel types accurately measure nearly every available sensor, including SDI-12.
- Systems are optimized for long-term operation on batteries, even in harsh environments.
- Communications options include: phone, cellphone, radio, and satellite (DCP).
- On-board mathematical capabilities provide on-site data processing.
- Time-stamped data is recorded in programmable intervals.
- Systems are expandable: add sensors to sites and sites to networks.
Measuring Water Level
Our systems use 6-wire resistive gauges or vibrating wire pressure transducers for measuring
groundwater level. In deep observation wells, these pressure transducers provide accurate water
level measurement. We use piezometers, bubblers, or float and pulley systems to measure water
level in shallow water applications. On the high end of groundwater level measurements, our
portable pump and slug test systems can simultaneously measure water level in up to 8 wells,
yet are easy to setup and customize from site to site.
For surface water level, measurements are often made in a vertical stand-pipe (stilling well)
installed adjacent to a lake, river, or stream. The stream level (stage) is the same as the
water elevation in the stilling well. A float and pulley is often used, but pressure transducers,
ultrasonic, and resistive tape sensors work well also. Self-calibrating double bubblers are accurate
sensors for measuring water level, and have the added benefit of keeping the sensor out of the measured
liquid-critical in corrosive environments.
Measuring Water Flow
Water flow is usually calculated using a structure built across an open channel, such as a weir or
flume. The water level is measured as it flows through the structure. Discharge rates are determined
by using a site-unique rating curve and the water level. A float and pulley system, strain gauge
pressure transducer, or ultrasonic sensor may be used in stilling wells to measure water level
fluctuations, then calculate flow.
New sensors that use ultrasonic and doppler technologies to measure water velocities in two or three
dimensions are also available. Velocity is measured directly; additional calculations are not required.
Dataloggers for Water Level and Flow Measurements
The versatility of our dataloggers allows systems to be customized
for each application. A range of dataloggers, with increasing capabilities, is available. All our
dataloggers feature wide operating temperature ranges, low power consumption, and the ability to directly
interface with a large variety of sensors. Because our dataloggers operate on batteries (with or without
solar panels), they are ideal for long-term, stand-alone operation, such as at remote stilling wells. If
additional channels are needed, most of our dataloggers are expandable using multiplexers and other
peripherals. Powerful on-board instruction sets allow unattended control decisions based on time or
conditional events. For example, if measured levels are outside a predetermined range, the datalogger
can sound alarms, open valves or gates, or call out to a phone to report conditions. Data are typically
displayed and stored in the desired units of measure (e.g., cfs, psi, feet, inches, meters, centimeters).
Sensors for Water Level and Flow Measurements
Thanks to their ability to measure multiple channel types, our dataloggers can read nearly every commercially
available sensor, allowing systems to be customized for each installation.
We offer a variety of water level and flow sensors that feature low drift and high reliability. In addition,
nearly all available water quality and meteorological sensors can be measured, generally without external
signal conditioning. We helped create the original SDI-12 standard, so you can be sure our systems are
SDI-12 compatible.
Communications
The availability of multiple telecommunications and on-site options for
retrieving data also allows systems to be customized to meet exact needs. Off-the-shelf telecommunications
options include satellite (DCP), radio, telephone, cellphone, and voice-synthesized phone. Systems can be
programmed to send alarms or report site conditions by calling out to computers, phones, radios, or pagers.
Real-time or historical data can be displayed or processed with Campbell Scientific software. Data can also
be exported as ASCII files for further processing by spreadsheets, databases, or analysis programs.
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Phone: (780) 454 2505