Continuous, Wireless Monitoring of Sediment Flux within Streams on Military Installations
Abstract
A combined Suspended Solid Concentration (SSC)/flow velocity sensor and a three-tier wireless sensor network (WSN) were demonstrated at three military installations-- Fort Riley, Fort Benning, and Aberdeen Proving Ground from 2010 to 2012. Twelve sensors were deployed to continuously monitored SSC. The SSC measurement range was found to be 0-5,000 mg/L and, in most cases, the SSC measurement error was limited within 10%. Fouling on optical lenses was reduced with an air-blast lens cleaning system embedded in the sensor, although maintenance of the system has presented a challenge. An algorithm for fouling and clogging correction was also developed for data post-processing. Data post-processing applied to a six-month SSC data showed that the sensor can be used in long-term natural water monitoring. While measuring SSC, the sensor also measured flow velocity in the range of 0.125-4.5 m/s. In most cases, the error was limited below 20%. One of the velocity sensors was deployed at a USGS stream-gaging station. Through continuous velocity measurement over a one-year period, the measured point velocities were used to generate an index-rating curve, which was then used to estimate the mean velocity from measured point velocity. This experiment demonstrated the possibility of using both stage and point velocity measurements to provide better discharge estimation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 17, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA600413
Entities
People
- Carl H. Johnson
- Daniel Bigham
- Gerhard Grimm
- Hugh Westbury
- James Steichen
- Naiqian Zhang
- Ning Wang
- Philip B. Woodford
- Scott Hill
- Steve Mcclung