Measuring Water Level

Our systems use 6-wire resistive gages 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 gage 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.

Data Loggers for Water Level and Flow Measurements

The versatility of our data loggers allows systems to be customized for each application. A range of data loggers, with increasing capabilities, is available. All our data loggers feature wide operating temperature ranges, low power consumption, and the ability to directly interface with a large variety of sensors. Because our data loggers 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 data loggers 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 data logger 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 data loggers 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. 

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.