CrowdWater: How well can citizens observe water levels and other hydrological variables using a smartphone app?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Seibert ◽  
Simon Etter ◽  
Barbara Strobl ◽  
Sara Blanco ◽  
Mirjam Scheller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Citizen Science ◽  
General Information ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Monitoring Networks ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Temporary Streams ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Set Up

<p>Citizen science observations are potentially useful to complement existing monitoring networks. This is also the case in hydrology, where we often lack spatially distributed observations. Engaging the public might help to overcome the lack of data in hydrology. So far, most hydrological citizen science projects have been based on the use of different instruments or installations. For stream level observations, a staff gauge is installed in the river but it is difficult to scale this type of citizen science approach to a large number of sites because these gauges cannot be installed everywhere (or by everyone). Here, we present an evaluation of the CrowdWater smartphone app that allows the collection of hydrological data without any physical installation or specialized instruments. With the help of a free app, citizens can report the stream level, soil moisture conditions, the presence of water in temporary streams, plastic pollution in streams and on streambanks, as well as general information on streams. The approach is similar to geocaching, with the difference that instead of finding treasures, hydrological measurement sites are set up. These sites can be found by the initiator or other citizen scientists to take additional measurements at a later time. For the water level measurements, a virtual staff gauge approach is used instead of a physical staff gauge. A picture of a staff gauge is digitally inserted into a photo of a stream bank or a bridge pillar and serves as a reference of the water level. During a subsequent field visit, the stream level is compared to the virtual staff gauge on the first picture. In this presentation, we discuss how well the water level class observations agreed with measured stream levels, and in which months and during which flow conditions citizens submitted their stream level observations. We also highlight methods to ensure data quality, and illustrate how these water level data can be used in hydrological model calibration. We also give an update on new activities in the CrowdWater project.</p>

Citizen observers in hydrology – experiences from CrowdWater

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Seibert ◽  
Simon Etter ◽  
Barbara Strobl ◽  
Ilja van Meerveld
Keyword(s):  
Citizen Science ◽  
Intermittent Streams ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
The Public ◽  
Science Projects ◽  
Stream Bank ◽  
Spatially Distributed ◽  
Streamflow Data ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Set Up

<p>One possibility to overcome the lack of data in hydrology is to engage the public in hydrological observations. Citizen science projects are potentially useful to complement existing observation networks to obtain spatially distributed streamflow data. Projects, such as CrowdHydrology, have demonstrated that it is possible to engage the public in contributing hydrological observations. However, hydrological citizen science projects have, so far, been based on the use of different kinds of instruments or installations. For stream level observations, this is usually a staff gauge. While it may be relatively easy to install a staff gauge at a few river sites, the need for a physical installation makes it difficult to scale this type of citizen science approach to a large number of sites because these gauges cannot be installed everywhere or by everyone. Here, we present the CrowdWater smartphone app that allows the collection of hydrological data everywhere without any physical installation or specialized instruments. The approach is similar to geocaching, with the difference that instead of finding treasures, hydrological measurement sites can be set up by anyone at any location and these sites can be found by the initiator or other citizen scientists to take additional measurements at a later time. This way time series of observations can be collected. For stream levels, a virtual staff gauge approach is used: a picture of a staff gauge is digitally inserted into a photo of a stream bank or a bridge pillar, and the stream level during a subsequent field visit to that site is compared to the staff gauge on the first picture. For intermittent streams, soil moisture and plastic pollution, qualitative scales are used to enable citizens to report their observations. Participants have already contributed more than 10 000 observations. In this pico-presentation, we report on our experiences after about four years with the CrowdWater project and discuss the use of the app by citizen observers, methods to ensure data quality, and illustrate how these data can be used in hydrological model calibration.</p>

Low-cost river discharge measurements using a transparent velocity-head rod

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurélien Despax ◽  
Jérôme Le Coz ◽  
Francis Pernot ◽  
Alexis Buffet ◽  
Céline Berni
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Electrical Contact ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Velocity Head ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Average Deviation ◽  
The Difference

<p>The common streamgauging methods (ADCP, current-meter or tracer dilution) generally require expensive equipment, with the notable exception of volumetric gaugings and floats, which are however often difficult to implement and limited to specific conditions. The following work aims at testing and validating a reliable, easy-to-deploy and low-cost gauging method, at a cost typically below 40 € each.<br><br>The “velocity-head rod” firstly described by Wilm and Storey (1944), made transparent by Fonstad et al. (2005) and improved by Pike et al. (2016) meets these objectives, for wading gauging with velocities greater than 20 cm/s typically. The 9.85 cm wide clear plastic rod is placed vertically across the stream to identify upstream and downstream water levels using adjustable rulers. The difference in level (or velocity head) makes it possible to calculate the average velocity over the vertical, using a semi-empirical calibration relationship.<br><br>Experiments carried out in INRAE’s hydraulic laboratory and in the field have enabled us to find a calibration relationship similar to that proposed by Pike et al. (2016) and confirm the optimal conditions of use. The average deviation to a reference discharge has been found to be close to 5 % except for very slow-flow conditions. The influence of the width of the rod on the velocity-head was studied in the laboratory. The uncertainty of the velocity due to the reading of water levels has been estimated. It increases at low velocity due to decreasing sensitivity, and increases at high velocities due to water level fluctuations that are difficult to average.<br><br>Several improvements were tested in order to facilitate and improve the measurement operations, without increasing the cost too much: magnetic ruler, removal of a graduated steel rule (expensive), plastic ruler with water level and velocity graduations, reading the depth with another ruler, spirit level, electrical contact (so the operator has not to bend to the surface of the water). An operational procedure and a spreadsheet for computing discharge are proposed. The method being extremely simple and quick to apply is well suited for rapid estimates of flow (instead of floats), training or demonstrations, citizen science programs or cooperation with services with limited resources.</p><p>Acknowledgments<strong>: </strong>The authors thank Q. Morice, J. Cousseau, Y. Longefay (DREAL) who were involved in this study by carrying out field tests.</p>

scholarly journals INVESTIGATION OF WAVE INDUCED STORM SURGE WITHIN A LARGE COASTAL EMBAYMENT - MORETON BAY (AUSTRALIA)

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (32) ◽  
pp. 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Treloar ◽  
David Taylor ◽  
Paul Prenzler
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Tropical Cyclones ◽  
Storm Surge ◽  
Wave Model ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Residual Water ◽  
Storm Tide ◽  
Moreton Bay ◽  
Coastal Embayment ◽  
Set Up

Moreton Bay is a large coastal embayment on the south-east Queensland coast which is surrounded by the urbanised areas of greater Brisbane on its western and southern shorelines. It is protected from the open coast by a number of islands, including South Stradbroke, North Stradbroke and Moreton Islands. Tropical cyclones occasionally track far enough south to cause significant damage to south-east Queensland due to flooding, winds, waves and elevated ocean water levels. Distant tropical cyclones which may be several hundred kilometres north of Moreton Bay have been known to cause storm surge, high waves and erosion inside Moreton Bay. These events generally do not generate gale force winds within Moreton Bay, but can generate large ocean swell waves. It has been identified that the wave conditions generated from distant cyclones can cause a variation in water levels inside Moreton Bay. A detailed study was undertaken to investigate the regional wave set-up process which affects Moreton Bay. The simulation of the residual water levels within Moreton Bay using a coupled hydrodynamic and wave model system developed for this study is considerably more accurate than applying a hydrodynamic model alone and explains water level anomalies that have a tidal frequency. The paper discusses the physical process of regional wave set-up inside a large embayment, analysis of observed residual water level and also the modelling study undertaken to quantify the influence of waves on storm tide levels inside Moreton Bay. The storm tide hazard study for the Moreton Bay Councils included the effects of regional wave set-up in the specification of design water levels.

Monitoring zero water level in a drought-affected headwater stream network

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelie Herzog ◽  
Kerstin Stahl ◽  
Markus Weiler ◽  
Veit Blauhut
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Monitoring Network ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Main Stream ◽  
Stream Network ◽  
Drying Up ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Level Monitoring

<p>Even largely perennial rivers can fall dry during drought events. A resulting partial or full drying-up of streambeds is difficult to monitor with conventional gauging stations, but important as it heavily impacts water availability, quality and aquatic ecosystems. With a predicted tendency towards more extreme droughts, event-based intermittency is likely to increase requiring a better longitudinal quantification of water level and streamflow conditions. The Dreisam River in the south-west of Germany is a stream with a highly dynamic hydrology. In the recent extreme drought years of 2015, 2018 and 2019 the main stream and tributaries partly fell dry; whereas the main gauging station still recorded flow. Furthermore, several tributaries fell dry in 2016, 2017 and 2019.To improve the understanding of the interaction between streamflow, groundwater and water usages in low flow and zero-flow situations, a flexible longitudinal water quality and quantity monitoring network was developed. Different techniques such as QR-code-reading camera systems and ultrasound devices to log water levels as well as water temperature and electrical conductivity sensors were used. The set-up was additionally equipped with conventional capacitive water level loggers. Here, we present a comparison of the different water level monitoring techniques in order to a) evaluate the advantages and limits of the novel techniques and b) investigate any added value of longitudinal, catchment wide zero level monitoring. The results show that the choice of the measurement sites' environment, including shading of QR-codes, light reflections of the water surface and streambed topography, is crucial for a successful application of the used techniques. The distributed gauges reveal a highly variable longitudinal drying pattern within the river network that appears to be event-specific and may not be explained without consideration of all natural and altered system fluxes.</p>

scholarly journals FIELD MEASUREMENT OF WAVE SET-UP

1988 ◽  
Vol 1 (21) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Gregory A. Davis ◽  
Peter Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Surf Zone ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Break Point ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Pressure Transducers ◽  
Cheap Method ◽  
Mean Water Level ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Average Position

A new, efficient and cheap method is described for obtaining field measurements of surf zone mean water levels. The method applies manometer tubes rather than the traditional pressure transducers. Together with simple stilling well measurements of the water table the results obtained from manometer tubes demonstrate for the first time a complete mean water level profile, from offshore of the break-point to the back-beach region. While some previous studies have provided information about the average position of the waterline, the present study is the first to provide comprehensive field data on the position of the shoreline defined as the intersection of the mean water surface and the sand. The difference between average position of the waterline and the shoreline is not trivial.

scholarly journals The role of tidal modulation in coastal flooding on a micro-tidal coast during Central American Cold Surge events

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilmer Rey ◽  
Paulo Salles ◽  
E. Tonatiuh Mendoza ◽  
Alec Torres-Freyermuth ◽  
Christian M. Appendini
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Sea Level ◽  
High Tide ◽  
Coastal Flooding ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Flood Hazards ◽  
Wave Setup ◽  
Set Up

Abstract. Coastal flooding in the Yucatan Peninsula is mainly associated with storm surge events triggered by high-pressure cold fronts systems passing through the Gulf of Mexico. To assess coastal flood hazards, this study uses a thirty-year water level hindcast, and considers the contribution of wave setup and the role of tidal hydrodynamics. To diagnose the mechanisms controlling the water levels, extreme sea level occurrence probability at Progreso Port was performed to identify the two worst storms in terms of maximum residual tide (Event A), and maximum water level (Event B). Numerical results suggest that during Event A the wave setup contribution reaches 0.35 m at the coast and 0.17 m inside the back-barrier lagoon, while these values are smaller for Event B (0.30 m and 0.14 m, respectively). Besides, numerical results of the effect of the astronomical tidal phase on the wave set-up and the residual sea level show that: (i) the wave set-up is tidally modulated and contributes up to 14 % to the extreme water levels at the inlet, (ii) the residual tide is larger (smaller) during near-low (high) or receding (rising) tide, and (iii) maximum flooding occurs when the storm peak coincides with rising or high tide, despite micro-tidal conditions.

scholarly journals The Functioning of Drainage Canal Near Barrage “Brzeg Dolny” on the Odra River in 1971–2009

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Beata Olszewska ◽  
Leszek Pływaczyk ◽  
Wojciech Łyczko
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Cross Section ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Drainage Canal ◽  
Water Conditions ◽  
Odra River ◽  
Flow Intensity ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Similar Location

Abstract The paper analyses the amount of water flowing into the drainage canal in comparison to the levels of the Odra waters in the Brzeg Dolny – Wały cross section (upper water in the barrage). The results of the measurement of the flow intensity in the canal in 1971–2009 provided the basis for the evaluation. The analysis led to the conclusion that with the same ordinate of damming in the barrage the average yearly flow in the canal in the Warzyna section decreased from 196 m3s–1 to about 80 dm3s–1 as the Odra's riverbed and the area between the embankments became tighter. The flow into the canal changes in time and depends on the difference between water levels in the Odra and in the canal. The paper presents the dynamics of changes in the water flow into the canal in relation to 1 m of difference between the level of water in the Odra and the drainage canal. It was shown that in a similar location, ground and water conditions as well as similar damming levels, the value of the drained water can be estimated to be about 35–40 dm3s–1km–1 for 1 meter of difference of the water level in the river and the canal.

Water Level Regulations and Fisheries in Rainy Lake and the Namakan Reservoir

1993 ◽  
Vol 50 (9) ◽  
pp. 1934-1945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yosef Cohen ◽  
Paul Radomski
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Interspecific Interactions ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Fish Populations ◽  
Coregonus Clupeaformis ◽  
Spawning Habitat ◽  
Emergent Macrophytes ◽  
Dry Spells ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Yearly Maximum

The difference between the yearly maximum and minimum water levels (YMXR) is an index of lake dynamics: shoals are exposed and inundated, nutrients are oxidized and reduced, and the diversity and density of the aquatic plant community are affected. Shoals and emergent macrophytes provide spawning habitat for fish. The 5-yr moving variance of YMXR fluctuates regularly with periods of about 11.2 yr (periodicity of sunspot cycles). This reflects the effects of within-year consecutive periods of storms and dry spells. Water level regulations resulted in changes in both amplitudes and frequencies of YMXR compared with natural fluctuations. We established links between fluctuations in YMXR and fluctuations in fish populations. Water level regulations, through their effects on YMXR, corresponded to changes in interspecific interactions on Rainy Lake and the Namakan Reservoir. In both, walleye's (Stizostedion vitreum) fluctuations were synchronized with both those of lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and northern pike (Esox lucius) more than those of either species with the other two. On the Namakan Reservoir, YMXR fluctuations were accentuated by water level regulation; on Rainy Lake, they were dampened. Regulations should consider frequencies and amplitudes of changes in water level and their effect on fish populations.

scholarly journals Monitoring of Water Level Change in a Dam from High-Resolution SAR Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 3641
Author(s):  
Yoon-Kyung Lee ◽  
Sang-Hoon Hong ◽  
Sang-Wan Kim
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Sar Interferometry ◽  
Upstream Face ◽  
Surface Model ◽  
Face Modeling ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Lakes And Reservoirs ◽  
The Difference

Accurate measurement of water levels and variations in lakes and reservoirs is crucial for water management. The retrieval of the accurate variations in water levels in lakes and reservoirs with small widths from high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images such as the TerraSAR add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements (TanDEM-X) and COnstellation of small Satellites for the Mediterranean basin Observation (COSMO-SkyMed) are presented here. A detailed digital surface model (DSM) for the upstream face of the dam was constructed using SAR interferometry with TanDEM-X data to estimate the water level. The elevation of the waterline below that of the interferometric SAR (InSAR) DSM was estimated based on upstream face modeling. The waterline boundary detected using the SAR Edge Detection Hough Transform algorithm was applied to the restored DSM. The SAR-derived water level variations showed a high correlation coefficient of 0.99 and a gradient of 1.08 with the gauged data. The difference between the gauged data and SAR-derived data was within ±1 m, and the standard deviation of the residual was 0.60 m. These results suggest that water level estimation can be used as an operational supplement for traditional gauged data at remote sites.

scholarly journals Dynamics and consequences of water level fluctuations of selected lakes in the catchment of the Ostrowo-Gopło Channel

2014 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-194 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Piasecki ◽  
Włodzimierz Marszelewski
Keyword(s):  
Water Level ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Water Level Fluctuations ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Type Change ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
High Precipitation ◽  
Lake Type

Abstract The article discusses water level fluctuations in lakes and the associated changes in the lake surface and water resources in the years 1992-2011. On the basis of detailed field studies carried out in the hydrological year 2011, short-term and dynamic changes in the lakes’ hydrology were determined. Changes in hydrological lake types were evoked by unexpected hydro-meteorological situations, in particular high precipitation totals and sudden thaws in winter. The main symptom of the lake type change was the restoration, after nearly 10 years, of channels connecting the lakes. In addition, a strong interdependence was recorded in the difference between evaporation and precipitation, as well as the mean annual ranges of lake water levels in the years 1992-2010

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