SFPUC: Solar Charged Continuous Monitoring in Rugged Conditions
Solinst Eureka
2113 Wells Branch Pkwy, Suite 4400
Austin, TX, USA
78728
Tel: +1 512-302-4333
Fax: +1 512-251-6842
email: [email protected]
Overview
As part of the Alameda Creek Aquatic Resources Monitoring Program, near the town of Sunol, CA, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) operates a rotary-screw trap (RST) and fyke trap. Trapping data is used to document the downstream movement patterns of fishes, and age-class-specific relative abundances of juvenile Oncorhynchus mykiss, in the southern portion of upper Alameda Creek. The different trap tyles allow for monitoring over a wide range of conditions, with the screw trap fishing at higher flows (about 25 to 400 cfs) and the fyke fishing at lower lows (about 10 to 40 cfs).
Biologists check the traps daily from February through May. Daily water quality data is collected on the days that the traps are fishing to explore possible correlations with fish capture rates, and to add to the SFPUC’s long term dataset.
Challenge:
Manually collecting daily water quality data is time consuming, while relatively expensive water quality instruments used by multiple biologists take a beating over long field seasons. Alameda Creek exhibits flashy hydrologic conditions, with the probability of damage to water quality probes installed at fixed locations high.
Solution:
A Solinst Eureka Manta 30 water quality sonde was installed on the downstream end of the SFPUC’s RST, allowing for the units probes to remain submerged during creek flow fluctuations. The sonde is powered by a 12-volt battery that is continuously charged using a small solar panel mounted to the trap. Water quality readings are taken every three hours.
Result:
In 2022 the Solinst Eureka Manta 30 probe collected data at three-hour intervals for four consecutive months during the SFPUC’s fish trapping season. The probe was calibrated approximately once per month, with the 12-volt solar charged battery providing continuous readings.
Manta Series Water Quality Probes
Solinst Eureka offers the largest selection of water quality sensor technologies in the industry. So in addition to standard configurations, each probe may be customized for your specific application. Pick sensors of your choice to fully populate larger probes, or add a battery pack to convert a probe to a logging device.
Manta Trimeter Water Quality Probe
The Trimeter holds any one sensor* from the Sensor Parameters list, Plus temperature and depth sensors (both are optional). For example, a Trimeter configuration could be turbidity, temperature, and depth. Another example could be DO and temperature.
EasyProbe: Water Quality Sondes
The EasyProbe, by Solinst Eureka, is a high-performance, cost-effective water quality monitor. It's ideal for spot-checking, remote telemetry, education, research, aquaculture, and more. The EasyProbe20 includes sensors for temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH, while the EasyProbe30 adds a turbidity sensor. Eureka multiprobes are known for their reliability, with a three-year warranty covering all sensors, and have the lowest maintenance costs in the industry.
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TLC Meter – Measure Accurate Temperature, Level & Conductivity
A TLC Meter provides accurate, stable temperature and conductivity measurements, displayed on a convenient LCD display for easy reading. Static water level and depth of readings are read off Solinst flat tape, which is precisely laser-marked every mm or 1/100 ft. Tape lengths are available to 300 m (1000 ft).
