HYDROLOGICAL WATER LEVEL MONITORING
The Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring («Roshydromet») is increasingly making use of systems for monitoring water levels and temperature in rivers and lakes. Some time ago, six divisions at the Federal Service began to switch over to a fully automated hydrological system manufactured by KELLER Pressure. The monitoring system must provide measurements that are highly accurate and transparent, as Russian state-owned institutions need to be able to control the security and confidentiality of their own data.
Monitoring icy surface water
The water level monitoring system consists of a 36XW level sensor , which measures pressure and temperature, and a GSM2* autonomous remote transmitter, which is used for automatic data collection and transmission. The GSM2* modules are also equipped with a barometer.
The GSM box* needs to transmit correct readings and work consistently and independently over several years and in extreme weather, as Roshydromet’s northern divisions also use KELLER Pressure systems in remote areas in the Gulf of Finland and the Barents Sea. The former is an elongated bay in the Baltic Sea, south of Finland, while the latter is situated north of Finland and flows into the Arctic Ocean, where temperatures can fall to -30 °C.
The data logger is used to help monitor the condition of the ice. All GSM2*-based monitoring systems are equipped with autonomous still and video cameras for security purposes to protect against theft and vandalism. The GSM boxes* are installed in walk-in containers in close proximity to the measuring points.
A measurement station operated by Roshydromet’s Northern division
Regular long-term measurements
The hydrostatic systems have been gathering precise measurements every hour for several years now. This data is transmitted to Roshydromet every 12 hours via GSM/GPRS. Measurements are only deleted every five to seven years, as this is when the lithium batteries also need to be replaced. No other maintenance work is required throughout this entire period. The battery charge status is also transmitted along with other data, which makes it easy to plan battery replacements in good time.
Siberian division equipment protected against theft and vandalism
Comprehensive installations
Roshydromet’s Northern division installed 22 hydrostatic systems fitted with security recorders in the Arkhangelsk region in 2016.
In October 2017, the Siberian division began operating 12 GSM2 modules* with level transmitters. The Siberian part of Russia is also a place where icy temperatures pose the greatest challenge, as the air temperature there can drop to as low as -38 °C. In addition to the security cameras, the containers are surrounded by metal fencing to prevent any kind of vandalism. The video recorder is linked up to the GSM2 module*, to which it sends a signal if anyone gets inside the metal fencing. The module then sends a notification of this to Roshydromet’s Siberian division.
Roshydromet operations in the Chernozem (Black Earth) Region
In November 2017, four hydrostatic systems were installed in the Chernozem Region in central Russia, where the air temperature generally drops to «only» a maximum of -25 °C. High masts made from steel tubing are used to build these hydrological measuring stations. This type of installation requires the use of GSM modules* with dimensions that allow them to be installed inside the masts. More specifically, a diameter of 57 mm (two inches) is standard in the industry here. When set up this way, the measuring station remains hidden and protected from flooding. It monitors the ice levels on rivers and is also fitted with an autonomous camera for security purposes.
There are two systems at Roshydromet’s testing site in the Novgorod region, where the measuring stations are also connected to a rain catcher.
* The GSM2 remote data transmission unit was refined and then replaced by the new ARC1 unit.
GSM2 box* (below) with rain catcher at a testing site in the Novgorod Oblast
