Watershed Monitoring Using a Non Line of Sight Data Telemetry System

In collaboration with Clermont County, the U.S. EPA's Office of Research and Development is developing watershed-wide load and transport models to account for stream processes at the Experimental Stream Facility in Milford, Ohio. To better understand environmental stressors in stream flow and the structure and function of stream ecosystems, researchers are establishing continuous water quality monitoring stations along the Lower East Fork River and its tributaries. In conjunction with this effort, EPA and the University of Cincinnati are developing a non-line-of-sight digital datalink using a high frequency radio for telemetry of environmental data with a direct 50-mile range. Features of this design include real-time continuous monitoring of remote sensor measurements, all-weather 30MHz transmission (without repeaters), and solar-powered remote telemetry stations. Remote sensor data is transmitted to a central monitoring station from a network of water quality sensor sites for alarms, analysis, and archiving purposes. Small VHF transceivers can be integrated into the communications network for shorter distance data links where numerous sensors are necessary. Applications include watershed source monitoring, treatment facility data collection, and water storage quality validation.