products scada qualificationslighthouse.tamucc.edu/dnrpub/sutron/xpert/corporate...21300 ridgetop...

21300 RIDGETOP CIRCLE STERLING, VA 20166 WWW.SUTRON.COM (703)406-2800 (703)406-2801 FAX [email protected]

8/24/2006

SCADA QUALIFICATIONS & PRODUCTS

Modems Voice Radio

Cellular Spread Spectrum

Sensors Shaft Encoders Bubble Gauges Pyranometers Rain Gauges Submersible Pressure Transducers Radar Level Sensor Gauge Pressure Transducers Barometers Air, Soil or Water Temperature Air or Water Quality Hydrocarbons Evaporation Discharge Humidity, Moisture

Wind Speed Wind Direction

SoftwareDatabase Design Software Specifi cation Development

Software Customization User InterfacesExternal Communications Interfaces/Protocol

GIS Displays Network Connectivity Design

Windows CE & Oracle-Based

CORPORATE CAPABILITIESSutron’s equipment, systems and software are used to monitor, control, manage, model, and forecast in the areas of hydrology, meteorology, and water resource management. Since 1975 these have been designed by Sutron, built by Sutron, installed by Sutron, supported by Sutron and maintained by Sutron.

Manufactured in the United States to exacting ISO 9001 quality standards, Sutron’s complete line of remote site equipment, software, and systems are designed for continuous, reliable operation in remote, extreme environments. Our real-time, user-friendly data acquisition products and turn-key systems include all telemetry formats (i.e., wireless communications such as satellite, LOS radio, telephone, and secure internet) sensors and customized Oracle-based software.

To date, worldwide Sutron has installed over 40,000 remote monitoring systems and 33 satellite Direct Readout Ground Stations. Sutron is the major supplier of equipment and systems to the National Weather Service, NOAA, National Oceanic Service, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, Texas A&M’s Division of Nearshore Research as well as many state and local governments and private sector industries. Our high level of Customer Service - the key to Sutron’s success - is unequalled. We’re proud of our reputation for proven, field- tested Reliability, Quality, Dependability and Consistency.

TELEMETRY

Satellite LOS Radio

Spread Spectrum Secure Internet

CDPD, CDMA Landline Telephone

Cellular Telephone

DATALOGGER/CONTROLLERSManufactured in Sterling, Virginia, USA, Sutron’s complete line of datalogger/controllers includes our newest generation with PDA communications options as well as support for existing, operating Sutron equipment, still successfully acquiring data in the field after 15 years.

DATA COLLECTION PLATFORMSStandard or customized, Sutron Data Collection Platforms can be comprised totally of Sutron manufactured equipment or a combination of Sutron equipment and equipment from other manufacturers.

Sutron Equipment at 3 Gorges Dam in China


8/24/2006


Ancillary Equipment Towers Antennae

Solar Panels Enclosures

Cables Memory Cards

Lightning/Surge Protection

Shaft Encoder Accessories

Batteries, Adapters, Chargers

SYSTEMS SERVICESFirst we define the problem. Our expert hydrological and meteorological engineers, with over 150 years of collective systems experience in the field, work with our customers to define their desired system results. The following are representative categories of solutions and applications:

SCADA Systems

Water Distribution Control

Irrigation Control

Hydropower, Dams & Reservoirs

Flood Forecasting, Warning, & Control (Rainfall, Water Level)

Stream Gauging & Reservoir Monitoring

Synoptic & Climatic Weather Monitoring

Agricultural/AgMet

Tidal & Port Systems

Hydro-Met

Airport Weather

Then we define the solution. We review system requirements to determine the equipment needed.

Next we develop necessary interfaces to ensure that all equipment and systems - both new and existing - are able to communicate with each other.

Then we develop the power budget and select the appropriate power supplies. We also determine and design the necessary cabinets and housings. We assemble and test the equipment to verify specifications are met.

Finally, we document the system in detail so it can be installed and maintained. The following are the supplemental services involved:

System & Hydrologic Modeling

Site Location

Radio Path Surveys

Repeater Site Identifi cation

Equipment & Network Analysis

Algorithm Development

Telecommunications Specifi cations

Cost-Benefi t Analysis

Interface Specifi cation & Design

License Application

Hardware Packaging

Network Design

CORE SERVICES

Project Engineering (System Design)

Project Management (Integration)

Hardware Manufacturing

System Installation

Training & Support

Software, Database, Network Design (with special “add on” software to generate any reports required)

Hydrological Services (Water Resource Investigation & Water Data Analysis)

CUSTOMIZED ENGINEERINGSutron’s Systems Engineers develop systems-based solutions precisely for each client’s needs. Our multi-disciplined staff of civil, electrical, control, telecommunications, and software engineers have the talent and experience necessary to develop a successful system solution for almost any hydrological or meteorological problem in the world.

INSTALLATIONSutron’s staff of field engineers and technicians support all phases of systems installation. When necessary, we augment our staff with highly qualified local contractors to provide such services as concrete placement and electric power wiring. Sutron provides the installation services:

Site surveys


8/24/2006

Subcontractor selection and supervision

Radio path surveys

Equipment installation

System alignment

System checkout and test

Operator training

LONG TERM OPERATION Over a long period of time a successful system requires a planned approach to follow-on support and maintenance. Sutron stands behind our products and systems and provides the support necessary to guarantee long-term success. Sutron’s field engineers and technicians provide:

Scheduled preventive maintenance

On-call maintenance support

On-site sensor calibration & verifi cation

Field site installations

Storm water runoff sampling & retrieval

On-site annual or semi-annual inspections

Full-time maintenance

System recalibration

RF path surveys

Refresher training

On-site or factory training for all staff

HARDWARESutron’s complete line of remote site equipment and systems including data acquisition units, control units, telemetry and transmission units, sensors, and software are designed for continuous, reliable operation in extreme environments (typically -40°C to +60°C).


Data Collection Platforms

Dataloggers - notably Xpert/XLite, the new Industry Standard. Highly modular, Windows CE based, 486 processor, C++ programming, expandable for virtually unlimited inputs

Telemetry & Transmission Units - radio, telephone, cellular, satellite, CDPD, ALERT, GOES and INSAT Digital Direct Readout Ground Stations (DDRGS), Secure Internet (with unique password-protected Internet IP address for each station)

Sensors - the entire hydrological/meteorological spectrum

Ancillary Equipment - cables, towers, enclosures, antennae, batteries, etc.

SOFTWARE & DATABASE DESIGN

Software Specifi cation Development Software Customization

Database Design External Communications Interfaces & Protocols User Interfaces GIS Displays Network Connectivity DesignAfter reviewing system requirements and equipment, our engineers develop necessary interfaces to ensure that all equipment and systems - both new and existing - are able to communicate with each other. And, we integrate both off-the-shelf software packages and custom modules to ensure all requirements are met.

Sutron SCADA System on the Lemolo Canal


8/24/2006

The Sutron AdvantageSutron’s ISO Certified manufacturing operation produces high quality, high demand, low power dataloggers, satellite transmitters, sensors and ancillary station and system equipment. Sutron dataloggers, transmitters, sensors and ancillary equipment are designed by Sutron to easily interface with other manufacturer’s station equipment whether integrated at an existing station site or integrated into a new station at our plant. This ability, experience and knowledge are unequalled by other hydro-met systems integrators who must rely on third-parties for manufacturing and maintaining and/or repairing equipment. Moreover, because Sutron is an ISO Certified Manufacturer, we have extensive testing and calibration operations within our facilities. No other systems integrator can compete with that capability or Sutron’s testing and calibration experience.


Sutron Field Testing & Calibration of Rain GageEverglades Station Maintenance


8/24/2006

BUREAU OF RECLAMATIONSAN LUIS VALLEY PROJECT Salvage unconfi ned groundwater & available surface

fl ows

Deliver water through a 42-mile conveyance channel to the Rio Grande

Deliver water to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge & Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area

Stabilize San Luis Lake

In 1923 Texas, New Mexico and Colorado seriously began to resolve the issue of an equitable distribution of the waters of the Rio Grande. In 1938 the commissioners of the three states signed the Rio Grande Compact. The Rio Grande Compact attempts to maintain the relationship of annual flows across state boundaries developed by the early 20th century. The terms of the Compact are flexible, recognizing annual variations in natural flow and anticipating that new sources of water for the Basin would develop. Colorado has the most difficulty meeting its delivery requirement in years when the river’s flow is high.

Colorado began to accumulate a debt after 1949 and it reached an estimated 944,000 acre feet, from 1952 to 1966 due to five large water years which occurred during that time. In 1966, Texas and New Mexico sued Colorado. This suit carried to the United States Supreme Court. In 1968 a stipulation was reached among the three states that, in essence, said that Texas and New Mexico would not proceed with further litigation if Colorado would honor its obligations under the Compact. From 1968 to 1985 the State Engineer strictly enforced the terms that Colorado had to meet to repay its debt and meet its annual allotment. There is a clause in the compact that provides for elimination of a debt or credit if Elephant Butte Reservoir spills. In June 1985 Colorado’s alleged debt of 600,000 acre feet was erased by such a spill. In 1986 and 1987 Elephant Butte spilled again insuring that Colorado’s allotment was met.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Closed Basin Division is located in south central Colorado. It has a surface area of 2,940 square miles. The San Juan Mountains on the west and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the east merge to form the northern boundary of the basin. The San Luis Hills form the south boundary.

PURPOSE OF THE PROJECT

The purpose of the Closed Basin Division project is to salvage unconfined ground water and available surface flows in the Closed Basin that would otherwise be lost to evapotranspiration. The salvaged water is delivered through a 42-mile conveyance channel to the Rio Grande to assist Colorado in meeting it’s commitment to the States of New Mexico and Texas, under the Rio Grande Compact of 1939, and to assist the United States in meeting it’s commitment to Mexico under the treaty dated May 21, 1906. The Project

also provides for the delivery of water to the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge and Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area, stabilization of San Luis Lake, recreational facilities at San Luis Lake, and fish and wildlife enhancement.

PROJECT FEATURESSALVAGE WELLS

The 170 water salvage wells constructed constitute the core of the Closed Basin water salvage facilities. Salvage wells range from a depth of 85-110 feet, yield 50-1100 gallons per minute, constructed with stainless steel screens and enclosed in concrete vaults. Well fields were developed in four stages. Groundwater in the Project varies in quality. Therefore, pumped waters are blended to meet the “quality of water” terms of the Rio Grande Compact.

SCADA EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES

OWNER: US Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation, Colorado

PROJECT: San Luis Valley Project, Closed Basin Division

EQUIPMENT: 280 RTUs, Receive Sites, System Software

DATES: 2001 with on-going support

CONTACT: Ella Mae Herrera Bureau of Reclamation 10900 Highway 60 East Alamosa, CO 81101 (719) 589-5855

VALUE: $2,828,000


8/24/2006

OBSERVATION WELLS

A network of 82 observation well sites (132 observation wells) provides water level data for both the confined and unconfined aquifers. This data is used to operate the Project within the drawdown limits prescribed by the authorizing legislation.

PIPELINE LATERALS

The Project includes approximately 115 miles of pipeline laterals. These laterals transport water from the salvage wells to the conveyance channel in Stages 1 through 4. Stage 5 is a total pipe system, merging with the conveyance channel at the northwest boundary of Stage 4.

CONVEYANCE CHANNEL

The Project conveyance channel provides the means of collecting the salvaged ground water from the pipeline laterals and delivering it to the Rio Grande. The channel is approximately 42 miles long with the design capacity increasing from 45 cfs to a maximum of 160 cfs. Bottom widths range from 8 to 22 feet, and water depths from 3.6 feet to 5.6 feet. The channel is lined with 20 mil thick PVC lining covered with 12-16 inches of aggregate and fill.

STRUCTURES

Construction of the conveyance channel included two precast concrete siphons, seven check structures, road crossings, four constant head orifice (CHO) turnouts, one Parshall flume, two pumping plants, one feeder canal turnout, and one pipeline turnout. Extensive tree planting called shelter belts have been planted in areas highly susceptible to wind erosion. Drip irrigation systems have been installed to water the tree areas.

PROGRAMMABLE MASTER SUPERVISOR CONTROL SYSTEM

A remote control monitoring system to assist with regulating water deliveries, detecting equipment problems, obtaining and storing historical data was installed in 1985. The Programmable Master Supervisory Control (PMSC) system consists of a master station in the Project office, and 280 networked, remote computers used for equipment control and data acquisition.

ELECTRICAL

Two public utility companies serve the Project area, which is for the most part remote and inaccessible. Public Service Company of Colorado (PSCo) and the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (REC) furnish electrical power. 96 miles of overhead primary line serve the Project, 31 miles of underground primary line, and 42 miles of underground secondary service. The Project also has a solar-powered pumping system installed at one well site. This stand-alone photovoltaic concentrator array pumping system was developed and installed as a joint research project of the Department of Energy and the Bureau of Reclamation.

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE

The Project is operated and maintained by Bureau of Reclamation personnel. A contract with the Rio Grande Water Conservation District (RGWCD) provides for civil maintenance on Project facilities.

The Project’s overall operation is monitored by a three person operating committee to insure the Project is being operated according to authorizing legislation. This committee consists of members appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, Colorado Water Conservation Board, and Rio Grande Water Conservation District.

CONCLUSION

Although the reservoir has yet to realize it’s full potential as a dual-use project, the benefits as a flood control unit have been great. The Army Corps of Engineers estimate the total amount of damage prevented by flood control operations from 1950 through 1989 to be over $4,500,000.(51) It is hopeful that in the future the water situation under the terms of the Rio Grande Compact will allow irrigators in the San Luis Valley to benefit more fully from the project. Some of the water shortages may be reduced as the benefits of the Closed Basin Drain are realized. The Closed Basin Project, begun in 1980 and completed in the early 1990’s, salvages water from the Closed Basin that would otherwise be lost through evaporation, and delivers it to the Rio Grande River for use elsewhere. Once fully operational, it should begin to provide supplemental water to the Rio Grande River, and thus free up more water from the Platoro Reservoir for irrigation.

SCADA EXPERIENCE EXAMPLES8/248/24/2006/2006

Figure 1 Salvage Well Site Figure 2 Observation Well


8/24/2006

SCADA DESIGN AND INTEGRATION PROJECTSSOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTIn the 1970’s, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) developed a proprietary Command and Control SCADA system, whose primary purpose was to support the District’s flood-control mission. Custom remote terminal units were developed to remotely monitor and actuate flood-control gates. A central SCADA computer processed and stored acquired data then transmitted operator commands back to the RACUs.

In 1998, the District began a program to modernize its proprietary SCADA systems that required new central SCADA computers and database systems to replace the proprietary C&C technology. Conversion of the analog microware to an all-digital system is also underway and expected to be complete by 2003. The new microwave system, which uses a SONET architecture in a dual-ring topology, supports SCADA communications nodes primarily using TCP/IP and other modern networking protocols.

Sutron Corporation is responsible for

Conceptual & Architectural Design

Site Inspections

Detailed Engineering Design, Drawings & Specifi cations

Fabrication & Certifi cation of Integrated MOSCAD Control Panel

Software Development and Testing

Monitoring & Acceptance of Installation Contract

Final System Integration and Testing for Acceptance

STA 1E – WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDASutron provided services for the integration of 29 automated sampling systems into an existing SCADA infrastructure. Our work on this project included the installation and interconnections between ITSCO auto-samplers and site RTU’s for the triggering and signaling of sampling events. The RTU was programmed to calculate flow through a gated structure and a proportional sample was collected and batched at the sampler located in the field. This project also required the use of a remote I/O solution that utilized spread spectrum transmission of contact closures over distances up to 2000’.

NORTH SHORE PUMP STATIONS – LAKE OKEECHOBEE, FLORIDAThis project included the installation of water level sensors and control wiring for three large pump stations located on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee. Sutron provided design and build services for the RTU control panel which consisted of a Motorola MOSCAD RTU and all necessary control circuitry and RF transceiver. These three pump stations were designed to facilitate complete control of all aspects of the pumping systems from West Palm Beach, Florida as well as, from a local HMI command center. Communications technologies utilized to accomplish telemetry operations include: MODBUS, VHF radio, TCP/IP, and wireless TCP/IP.

OWNER: South Florida Water Management

CONTACT: Loy Alvarado

TELEPHONE: 561-753-2400

DATE: On-going to September 30, 2006

TOTAL: $3,219,988.00 (Contract Total Budget)



8/24/2006

S-337 AND S32A – HOMESTEAD, FLORIDAS-337 and S-32A are multiple gate structures that are part of a larger flood management network. Sutron was contracted to design and integrate additional gate position sensors and remote control capabilities. These additions more than double the operational capacity of the existing Motorola MOSCAD RTU and made extensive use of the latest signal conversion technology in order mitigate signal type mismatches.

STA1E – WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDASutron Corp. provide installation and start-up services for forty-four new gate control structures that are part of the South Florida Water Management Districts (SFWMD) Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP). Our services included the installation and integration of all Motorola MOSCAD RTU’s into an existing SCADA infrastructure.

S13A – FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDAThis project involved the complete engineering design, integration, and installation of a control panel for the remote control of four gate flood control structures. This system was design using an Motorola MOSCAD RTU and included integration of RTU control with the sites existing manual control systems.

UL PANEL SHOP – WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDASutron Corp. panel shop is a UL 508A certified panel fabrication facility. In addition to the panels we build and certify as part of our engineering projects, Sutron also has built several control panels for third party’s including several SCADA telemetry panels utilizing Motorola MOSCAD technologies.

U.S. INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSIONSutron was awarded a contract from the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission to design, construct, install, and test a gate control system. The system provides both remote manual and automatic level control. The system consists of two (2) remote sites and a Base Station. The upstream remote site is equipped with a government furnished data recorder with speech modem, battery,


OWNER: International Boundary & Water Commission

CONTACT: Ken Rakestraw

PHONE: (915)832-4160

TOTAL: $537,625

DATES: 2001-2002 w/on-going support

PROJECT: Modernize existing hydrological data collection network for the Hydrographic Data Collection Rehabilitation Project along the border between the US and Mexico

EQUIPMENT: System consists of 70 remote Data Collection Platforms and 2 High Data Rate Digital Direct Readout Ground Stations

8/248/24/2006/2006

Station Maintenance in the Everglades


8/24/2006charging circuit, 900 MHz Radio, DGH Module, control interface to the existing gate actuator, and a shaft encoder system to measure water level. The existing downstream site consists of a Sutron 8210 Data Recorder with GOES telemetry and a Design Analysis Bubbler. Sutron integrated a 900 MHz radio to transmit the water level reading to the upstream site.

The user has the facility to call the station from any land-line phone or cellular phone. After entering the correct station password, the user can change the set-point for the water level, based on which 8210 will send the control command to the existing gate control actuator to move the dam gate up/down to increase or decrease the water level


Design system based on existing equipment

Install addition instrumentation

Provided additional programming at remote sites

Install and program the Base Station PC

Perform verification testing and training

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASESutron was awarded a contract by Eglin Air Force Base in 1997 to design a system for remote control of diesel generators. The system is based on the Sutron GENCOM Generator Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and associated HMI control software. The GENCOM unit has signal conditioners to interface to the generator instrumentation for starting and stop the generator, monitoring voltage and current readings, and motor readings, such as fuel level, oil pressure, and engine temperature. The Eglin system is based on the use of 900 MHz license-free radios. Base station software allows remote control and monitoring of all pertinent parameters of a generator. Sutron installed, tested and trained Elgin personnel on the equipment and software. Sutron installed five (5) sites in 1997. Elgin ordered an additional five (5) sites in 2000.


Designing radio system for site

Installing RTUs at five generator sites

Configuring system base station PC

Performing verification testing and training OWNER: US Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha, NEPURPOSE: Wastewater Monitoring System SCADA-RF System to monitor water level

points spanning the entire 85 mile length near Torrington, Wyoming

EQUIPMENT: 46 Stations with Radio Telemetry COMPLETED: 2001CONTACT: Mr. Bill Vandivort Goshen Irrigation District P. O. Box 717 Torrington, WY 82240 (307)532-7031

GOSHEN IRRIGATION DISTRICT SCADA CANAL MONITORINGSCADA-RF SYSTEM TO MONITOR WATER LEVEL POINTS SPANNING THE ENTIRE 85 MILE CANAL LENGTH NEAR TORRINGTON, WYOMING

Sutron automated 85 miles of canal for the Goshen Irrigation District near Torrington, Wyoming. The Goshen canal distributes water from the North Platte River to several hundred thousand acres of farm land used for sugar beet and wheat production.

Phase 1 of the project involved providing canal level monitoring equipment and spillway gate control at fi ve sites. This radio based system monitors points spanning the entire length of the canal. The system managers are able to monitor water level along the canal using Sutron PCBASE2 software running on PC’s located at the district offi ce. The software automatically sets off alarms when water levels become too high and endanger the canal system. The system also uses voice message phone calls to inform personnel of alarms if the alarms are not acknowledged at the base station PC.

Operators initiate flow changes at secondary flow control structures using a “point and click” interface at the master station.

This project showcases Sutron’s ability to integrate old manually operated equipment with modern SCADA technology. Sutron designed a necessary electro-mechanical interface to allow the RTU’s to operate the rising stem gate valves at the diversion structures.

Sutron RTUs can act as “automated light switches” for almost any type of electrical equipment. The built-in programming ability allows the user to turn on and off system functions based on conditions at the site. For example, it is straightforward to program a site to hold a given water level or to release a specific amount of flow. It is also quite easy to use such information as water pH or dissolved oxygen to control some other function. For example, the DO level can be used to trigger air injection or a spray fountain. The pH level can be used to automate the injection of dilution water or acid/base to keep the pH within a specified range.


CONTACT: Sgt. Mike Neville

PHONE: 850-882-5612

DATE: 1997-2000

TOTAL: $125,000


8/24/2006

THE PUERTO RICO AUTOMATED DAM DATA ACQUISITION AND ALARM REPORTING SYSTEM (ADDAARS) was designed to obtain, monitor and analyze, in real-time, critical safety parameters such as infl ows, outfl ows, gate openings and lake elevations for 29 principal reservoirs.

SUMMARYThis system allows dams to be operated more safely and emergency plans to be more effectively coordinated and implemented with the emergency management agenciesADDAARS provides information to decision makers in real-time through a combination of radio and satellite telemetry, microwave, fiber optic and Internet technology in order to Improve the distribution and use of manpower

Provide real-time data for safe dam and reservoir operation

Reduce emergency response time

Provide a precise and consistent data collection system.

Provide the tools to monitor conditions of the dams and reservoirs in real-time at the emergency operation center and at the regional operations centers

PROCESS The DCP collects, stores, and prepares data for

transmission via Satellite and Radio.

The DCP manages all scheduling of sensor readings and organization of sensor data.

The Satellite Transmitter receives data from the DCP and transmits it to the NOAA GOES East Satellite

Satellite communications are one-way from the station to the receive site

All scheduling of satellite transmissions is handled by the DCP and the satellite transmitter

After the DCP is programmed, nothing can be done during an event without reprogramming the DCP

Since all transmissions are scheduled, this is anear real-time system.

During an event, the DCP will provide all the data needed.

THE PUERTO RICO AUTOMATED DAM DATA ACQUISITION AND ALARM REPORTING SYSTEM (ADDAARS)

Repeater Station

EQUIPMENTData collection platforms (DCP) collect data from sensors at each site and transmit values via satellite and radio.SENSORS

Water level sensors

Radar based sensors

Submersible pressure gages

Non-submersible (bubbler) pressure gages

Pluviometers

Tipping bucket rain gages

Position sensors

Shaft-encoders

Integration with existing sensors (i.e. Modbus)

NORMAL CONDITIONS Data is ollected and

stored every 5 minutes.

Data for every 15 minutes during the last 2 hours is provided to the satellite transmitter.

Data is transmitted every 1 hour.

Since the last 2 hours of data is transmitted every hour, each transmission contains 1 hour of fully redundant data

Data is received by central servers and stored in relational database management systems. Hydrologic database software with a graphical user interface is used to access the data.

The system incorporates redundancy to maximize data availability under a wide range of hydrologic and meteorologic conditions.

ALARM CONDITIONS Data is collected and stored every 5 minutes. Data for every 5 minutes is provided to the satellite

transmitter Data is transmitted every 5 minutes while the event lasts. Since only one value is transmitted, no redundancy occurs

in alert mode.



8/24/2006

900 MHZ SPREAD SPECTRUM RADIOS The radios do not require an FCC license to operate while

VHF radios do require a license The radios are subject to less interference when

compared to VHF radio frequencies They have the capability for 10/100 BaseT networking

at 512 mbps

They have two network-routable serial ports

HYDROLOGIC DATABASE SOFTWARE Hydrologic database software is used.....

..to decode satellite and radio transmissions

..to store the decoded values in a database ..to display the data in both tabular and graphical format

..to send alarms via beeper messages, email, fax or specialized programs

A graphical user interface (GUI) is used for quick and effi cient access to data from multiple stations and sensors.

The hydrologic database software provides fl exible tools to review satellite and radio data either independently or together.

The database software also facilitates evaluation of station conditions and data quality, as well as provides a wide range of reports to present both summarized and detailed information in printed form.

OWNER: USGS Puerto Rico Office

EQUIPMENT: 25 Stations Satellite & Spread Spectrum Telemetry 15 Bubbler water level sensors XConnect open database software Sutron GOES Satellite Receiver Station Sutron engineering services

DATES: 2004 with on-going support

CONTACT: Mr. Pedro Diaz District Chief, USGS GSA Center Guaynabo PR 00965 Tel: (787) 749-4366 x 222 Email: [email protected]



8/24/2006

YAKIMA REMOTE MONITORING & CONTROL SYSTEMYAKIMA REMOTE MONITORING & CONTROL SYSTEM PROVIDING IRRIGATION TO OVER 450,000 ACRESThe Yakima Remote Control System (YRCS) is a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system for control of remote hydraulic structures. The system consists of a Digital Equipment Corporation VAX minicomputer as the central controller and five remote water storage and diversion dams that are monitored and controlled using a line-of-sight radio communications link. The YRCS was installed by the Sutron Corporation for the Bureau of Reclamation in Yakima, Washington, to aid in the management of irrigation water, instream flow uses, and hydropower production. The system provides a comprehensive set of functions for monitoring remote dam operations, computing new gate settings, raising and lowering gates, controlling operating machinery, and detecting and announcing alarms. A user-friendly interactive program provides the operator interface to the system. The menu-driven program provides color graphics displays to help water managers monitor the system.

THE PROJECTThe YRCS operates part of the Yakima Project that provides irrigation water to over 450,000 acres in the fertile areas along 175 miles of the Yakima River. Information critical to reservoir release operations is provided by a network of hydromet stations which report stream levels, reservoir levels, precipitation, and snowpack data over the same radio link used by the YRCS.

The hydrologic data is sorted and stored as part of the Yakima Hydromct System and is subsequently passed on to the Boise-Minidoka Hydromet System, and finally to the Columbia River Operational Hydromet Management System (CROHMS). Real-time data from 22 hydromet stations in the Yakima Basin are accessed by the YRCS from the Yakima Hydromet System database.

Three storage dams located high in the Cascade Mountains are controlled by the YRCS. In good weather, the dams can be reached in approximately 90 minutes from the project office. Until recently, a full-time dam tender stationed at one of the reservoirs made operational changes to all three of the dams. Now the project has the capability of making gate changes from the project office.

Farther down the river system, two power plants, which are power drops off canals, produce hydroelectric power for pumping stations and for marketing by the Bonneville Power Administration.

The Yakima Hydromet System, installed in 1977, greatly enhanced the water managers’ daily overall view of the hydrologic aspects of the project. The hydromet stations provide data on river, canal, and reservoir levels, and weather data such as precipitation, air and water temperature, and snow pillow pressure. However, site visits and phone calls were still necessary to obtain operational data at the dams, such as gate settings and status checks.

The dams still require regular visits for checks on operations and mechanical maintenance. But, remote control allows for more efficient use of the available water. Operators can now

OWNER: U. S. Bureau of Reclamation - Yakima, Washington Project Offi ce

PROJECT: Yakima Remote Monitoring and Control System providing irrigation to over 450,000 acres

PURPOSE: SCADA system for control of remote hydraulic structures for fi ve dams

EQUIPMENT: 5 remote stations with LOS communication

COMPLETED: 1985

CONTACT: Onni Perala

(509)575-5854

VALUE: $1,603,581

schedule operating changes at night or on weekends. The ability to make immediate changes to operating gates at the dams from the project office instead of waiting the hour or two it might take for someone to be dispatched to the dam greatly improves the flexibility of the water managers to respond to system needs.



8/24/2006DATA ACQUISITION & MONITORINGThe YRCS collects data on the state of the system, comparing new data received with previous data. The remote sites are polled on a regularly scheduled basis for current data and the data received from each poll are checked against current data to determine if changes have occurred. The managers can schedule automatic polls around the clock. Data on current gate set points, gate openings, gate limits, a list of system status values, gate status values, and data on remote site hardware are provided in each poll message from each dam.

The remote sites use random reporting over the radio link to transmit messages to the central computer whenever the remote detects a change which has been flagged by the operator for such notification. The remote continues to send these messages until a reply is received from the central computer.

The VAX-based YRCS maintains a list of alarms which describe various problems that have occurred at the remote dam sites, or which have occurred because the computer detects a problem with the progress of operations or with the failure of a remote site to report. All alarms are maintained active until an operator at a terminal acknowledges the alarm. The alarm is deleted only if the problem has been resolved. Two hundred fifty-six (256) alarms are provided for each dam site. Currently, however, fifty-nine (59) alarms are active. Of these fifty-nine, sixteen (16) are system alarms monitoring electrical contacts for electric power, smoke and intruder alarms, high and low reservoir levels, (future) earthquake sensors, and other devices. Eight (8) alarms for each operating gate include sets of limits on the gate stem (physical limits of gate movement) and the shaft encoder (thumbwheel switches at the dam, changeable by operators) which measure the gate opening to prevent out-of-bounds gate movements.

Other gate alarms monitor hydraulic pressure switches for the hydraulic pumps which move the gates, and the gate opening to determine if the gate creeps off the set point. Finally, nineteen (19) alarms are generated by the central computer for such problems as failure of the remote site to communicate, failure of a gate change to produce the desired change in flow from the dam, failure of the central computer to perform a scheduled function, etc.

Operators can generate a screen display of current data at any site using normal CRTs (cathode ray tubes) and printing terminals.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLThe cruxes of the control operations are gate set points. Operators can schedule gate set points to occur in real time up to 72 hours in the future. The 72-hour figure is operator-selectable. Gate set points are defined by control operations as the proper gate opening. Gate limits are provided as a check on operator controls. The gate limits disallow any set point choices made by the operator, which are out of an adjustable range.

In order to choose new gate set point, a computation format is provided to choose new operating conditions. The YRCS prompts for new operating constraints and then computes the new required set point. The operator can select new values of discharge and anticipate reservoir level changes.

When the operator schedules the gate change to be made,

a value for the desired total dam discharge is included in the scheduling. The total discharge is used to compute a check on the operation after the gate change has been completed. The operator uses data from hydromet stations near the dam to compare the actual discharge to that desired. If the difference is not within pre-set limits, an alarm is generated to notify the operator.

Several gate limit check mechanisms are used by the YRCS to prevent gross errors in set points, which might result in dangerously high outflows. One set of limits is used by the central computer to prevent out-of-limit gate set points. The other two sets of gate limits are maintained at the remote site to provide backup protection from error.

ALARM FUNCTIONSAlarms can be generated at the dam sites and by the central computer as described previously. Each alarm is assigned a priority based on its importance to normal operation by the river operator. During non-attended hours, when alarms of a specified threshold level are generated, the YRCS operators are notified immediately by portable pocket beepers. The operators can then call into the central computer using a touch-tone telephone and receive a voice-synthesized code of the alarm. The alarm can also turn the paging off.

The threshold priority for alarm paging is one of the parameters that personnel can easily change using the YRCS VAX software. The minimum paging priority can be readily changed on a site-by-site basis so that only selected essential alarms will notify managers during nights and weekends.SUMMARYThe Yakima Remote Control System is a case study application of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) concepts for the operation and monitoring of a large water resources project. The remote control system allows centralized control and monitoring of a series of water storage and diversion dams along the Yakima River which provide irrigation water and hydropower to the Bureau of Reclamation’s Yakima Project in south-central Washington. The system controls operating gates and other devices at the water storage and diversion dams using line-of-sight radio telemetry. The project involved both software and hardware development and is highlighted by a menu-driven program and graphics package that allows monitoring of the system and scheduling of control events to be executed in a real-time framework. Thus, the system enhances the ability of water managers to provide for more efficient use of available water through quicker response to weather and demand changes.

System monitoring includes an array of alarms that can be generated by both the remote sites and the central computer. An unusual feature of the project is the automatic paging system for the alarms, which utilizes a voice-synthesized telephone answering system. Beepers automatically page project personnel when alarms are generated, and can call in to the central computer with a touch-tone telephone, listen to a synthesized identification of the problem, and acknowledge the alarm.



8/24/2006

PACIFICORP NORTH UMPQUA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT

OWNER: PacifiCorp

EQUIPMENT: 19 Permanent Gaging Stations with Sophisticated Radio Path Telemetry, System Software

COMPLETED: October 2002

CONTACT: Richard Freeman PacifiCorp 925 S. Grape St. Medford OR 97501 (503) 813-6045

NORTH UMPQUA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT, FERC PROJECT NO. 1927

Compliance with Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) licensing regulations by monitoring fl ow in the network of canals withdrawing water from the North Umpqua River and its tributaries near Toketee Lake

As one of the lowest-cost hydropower producers in the U.S., PacifiCorp generates 8,000 megawatts of energy for nearly 1.5 million customers in the Pacific Northwest. On July 19th of 2000 Pacifi Corp agreed to monitor flow in the network of canals withdrawing water from the North Umpqua River and its tributaries near Toketee Lake to assure water rights compliance.

Sutron received contracts for the first two phases of the project. The contract for the first phase, valued at $200,412, was completed in 2001.

The contract for the second phase of the project, valued at over $369,500, was awarded to Sutron in July 2002 (included with July 2002 bookings) to be completed by October 31, 2002. The contract for the third phase of the project, which will include real-time telemetry for all existing gauging stations, is expected in 2004.

In the first phase a set of four stream gauging stations were established on the main canals supplying water for generation. In the second phase an additional 15 monitoring stations will be added on the natural stream reaches adjacent to the canals and on the penstocks that fee the project generators. Data from all the sites will be brought to Pacifi Corp’s Toketee Control Center where it will be available to system operators.

The system will produce daily water usage reports and compare water usage to minimum and maximum allowable flows.

The turnkey system is designed, built, installed, supported and maintained by Sutron. Sutron also provides PacifiCorp with the following:

Hydrologic engineering services, stream gauging, installation of staff gauges, all data logging instrumentation and equipment, gauge houses

Data reporting software and training of Pacifi cCorp employees for maintenance and operation.

REQUIREMENTSIn 2000, Pacifi Corp met with Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) representatives at the Toketee Control Center to review Pacifi Corp’s schedule for bringing the North Umpqua Project into compliance with operating licenses that specify maximum diversion from each natural stream as well as minimum fl ows to be maintained in bypass reaches (natural streams) below project diversions. The resulting agreement stipulated installation of a gaging system to account for all project diversions and bypass fl ows. Discharge data from

Toketee Lake, Fish Creek penstock in foreground, Lemolo 2 penstock in right background

Typical bypass reach site



8/24/2006

Cinnamon Butte repeater site

Clearwater 1 Forebay gaging station with shelter and logger

the canal gaging system and penstock fl owmeters was to be reported to the District 15 Watermaster’s Offi ce in Roseburg, Oregon, on a daily basis. Flow information from bypass reaches will be reported daily beginning in 2002.

The resulting project has two phases. Phase I provides for monitoring fl ows in canals (by datalogger) and penstocks (by ultrasonic fl owmeters). Reports will be generated by operators who acquire data from the logger network and the penstock fl owmeters. Phase 2, completed by October 31st of 2002, will add monitoring of bypass reaches and bring all of the data to the Toketee Control Center by means of a radio network. A computer system will allow operators to monitor fl ows in real-time and will automate report generation for OWRD. OWRD requirements:

Gages will meet applicable United States Geological Survey (USGS) standards.

Rating tables for each gage will be developed from current meter measurements over the range of expected canal fl ows.

Each rating will be verifi ed annually to ensure accuracy

Discharge data from the canal gaging system and penstock fl owmeters will be reported to the District 15 Watermaster daily beginning in 2001.

Flow information from bypass reach USGS gages will also be reported daily beginning in 2002.

THE PROBLEMBecause the area is mountainous with canal and river sites scattered over a 100 square miles, flow monitoring for North Umpqua presents challenges. Bypass reaches are in areas difficult to access, even on foot. Sites are often surrounded by tall trees, inhibiting communications and preventing use of solar panels for power. Access is primarily via dirt roads, barely passable in bad weather. Visiting each site daily requires heavy manpower (about 4 hours for a complete circuit). A water right or flow violation could go undetected for days. Viewing flow conditions in real-time is critical.

THE SOLUTION – PHASE 1Monitoring canal and river flows requires sophisticated expertise so PacifiCorp asked the U.S. Geological Survey to recommend a vendor. Sutron Corporation, a designer/manufacturer/installer of turnkey remote monitoring systems, was recommended.Sutron and PacifiCorp agreed to focus on canal sites in 2001 (Phase I) and completion of the entire system by October of 2002. ODWR Phase I requirements will be met by placing permanent gaging stations near the downstream ends of major canals, using data loggers (without telemetry) that read flow directly by determining the relationship between flow depth and discharge rate and that store flow data. Real-time flow data requires a communications network. PacifiCorp has in place a variety of hard-wire and fiber optic links and has conducted experiments with line-of-site radio. PacifiCorp’s access rights to an existing radio repeater site at Cinnamon Butte to the east of the project

area will be an integral part of the solution. A complete radio path survey to facilitate design of the communications network for Phase 2 was completed in September, 2001.

THE SOLUTION – PHASE 2The Phase 1 monitoring system was in place by October 31, 2001 and the communications path survey to determine the exact combination of radios, repeaters, and other links needed to bring data back to the Control Center is finished. Next, the final communications system including data loggers and communications for the bypass reach sites will be implemented. The penstock flow meters will also be integrated into the telemetry network.When the entire computer system and software have been in-corporated, operators will access a computer that stores canal and stream gage ratings which are easily updated if changes are indicated by the stream gaging program. Ratings will be used in real-time to convert the telemetered stream and canal stages to fl ow. Values of the stage readings and the fl ows will be stored in a relational database that limits storage time for telemetered stage values and computed fl ows to 6 months.

There will also be a process that automatically generates OWRD fl ow reports containing tables showing site-specifi c stage and fl ow measurements at a mutually-agreed-upon time of day and that stores this data on the system hard drive. A



8/24/2006

graphical man-machine interface (MMI) will aid operators in station setup and interpreting data. Trained personnel will use the MMI to change station characteristics as well as add or remove stations.

The primary operator display will resemble a spreadsheet that contains a list of system gaging points and the current stage and fl ow. The display will update in real time.

The table will update every 15 minutes (interval set by agree-ment with OWRD). Stations whose report times are more than 20 minutes old will be marked by yellowed time panels. Stations whose report times are more than 1 hour and 10 minutes old will be marked by red time panels. Yellow and red marked time panels alert the operator to any problems with telemetry.

The table will also provide water right and low fl ow alerts. When fl ow exceeds the water right for the site, the fl ow value will be changed to blinking red and the amount of the alert will be presented in a separate “alert” window at the bottom

WATER RIGHT ALERT – 188.0 cfs Lemolo 2 Canal

of the table. Similarly, the system will warn if the fl ow drops below the specifi ed minimum. The design will allow for mul-tiple alerts (alerts at more than one site.)

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONSPacifi Corp’s real-time fl ow monitoring network will allow project operators to view the fl ow in system canals, bypass reaches and penstocks in real time as well as alert them when any violation of minimum fl ow requirements or water rights takes place. The system will use line-of-sight radio, fi ber optic, and hard-wire communications technologies, data log-gers, streamgaging stations, and ultrasonic fl owmeters. It will save about four person-hours per day and greatly shorten response time to any flow change situation.



8/24/2006

SCADA SYSTEM FOR REPORTING UPSTREAM & DOWNSTREAM WATER LEVELS, CONTROLLING DAM & IRRIGATION CANAL RELEASES, & CHECKING STRUCTURESSutron Corporation provided Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Tascmaster Telemetry system that is used to report upstream and downstream water levels and control the releases of water from dams and check structures in the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project in Washington. The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the three project irrigation districts (East Columbia Basin, Quincy-Columbia Basin, and South Columbia Basin Irrigation Districts) are utilizing this SCADA system to greatly increase the efficiency of water operations. The system includes the master control center at the USBR offi ces in Ephrata, with control and monitoring centers at fi ve district offi ces and remote terminal units (RTUs) for control at 70 sites. Communications with the RTUs is over a high-powered VHF radio System. This SCADA system provides centralized monitoring and control of the multiple canal irrigation network.

MASTER CONTROL CENTER

The master control center, located in Ephrata, is the heart of the Columbia Basin Irrigation SCADA system. It is there that the data is sent from each of the RTUs in the system. The computer located in control center provides all polling and control requests to the RTUs at the remote sites. The district monitors communicate with the master control center computer, via telephone modems, to receive information about the functioning of the irrigation system in their district.

Control is provided at the master control center by Sutron’s Programmable Master Supervisory Control system (VAX PMSC) software running on a DEC MicroVAX II minicomputer. The VAX/PMSC software consists of real-time and interactive modules. The realtime system starts on power up and runs continuously to poll for data, control remote devices, share setup confi guration data, generate alarms, and monitor communications.

The interactive programs allow operators to confi gure the system, display current data, initiate control, display and acknowledge alarms, print reports, and run diagnostics.

The operator interface at the master control center is through a 19” color terminal providing a graphical control interface to the SCADA system.

This interface provides menu-driven, color graphic displays and controls along with forms input and reports. The color graphic displays can be modifi ed or created on-line and linked to dynamic database values. The display choices are chosen from the system menu. For each display there may be appropriate functions which can be performed such as polling the RTU, changing setpoint or acknowledging alarms. These functions are performed by pressing one of the “function” keys

OWNER: Columbia Basin Project Irrigation Districts

PURPOSE: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Tascmaster Telemetry system used to report upstream and downstream water levels, to control the releases of water from dams, and to check structures in the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project in Washington. The U. S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and the three project irrigation districts (East Columbia Basin, Quincy- Columbia Basin, and South Columbia Basin Irrigation Districts) use this SCADA system to greatly increase the efficiency of water operations.

EQUIPMENT: Master control center, with control and monitoring centers at five district offi ces and remote terminal units (RTUs) for control at 70 sites. Communications with the RTUs is over a highpowered VHF Radio System. This SCADA system provides centralized monitoring and control of the multiple canal irrigation network.

DATE: 1990

COLUMBIA BASIN IRRIGATION DISTRICTSSCADA PROJECT

across the top of the keyboard. The function assigned to each function key is displayed at the bottom of the display screen.

The master control center, located in Ephrata, is the heart of the Columbia Basin Irrigation SCADA system. It is there that the data is sent from each of the RTUs in the system. The computer located in control center provides all polling and



8/24/2006

control requests to the RTUs at the remote sites. The district monitors communicate with the master control center computer, via telephone modems, to receive information about the functioning of the irrigation system in their district.

Control is provided at the master control center by Sutron’s Programmable Master Supervisory Control system (VAX/PMSC) software running on a DEC MicroVAX II minicomputer. The VAX/PMSC software consists of real-time and interactive modules. The realtime system starts on power up and runs continuously to poll for data, control remote devices, share setup confi guration data, generate alarms, and monitor communications.

The interactive programs allow operators to confi gure the system, display current data, initiate control, display and acknowledge alarms, print reports, and run diagnostics.

The operator interface at the master control center is through a 19” color terminal providing a graphical control interface to the SCADA system.

This interface provides menu-driven, color graphic displays and controls along with forms input and reports. The color graphic displays can be modified or created on-line and linked to dynamic database values. The display choices are chosen from the system menu. For each display, there may be appropriate functions which can be performed such as polling the RTU, changing setpoint or acknowledging alarms. These functions are performed by pressing one of the “function” keys across the top of the keyboard. The function assigned to each function key is displayed at the bottom of the display screen.

Control is also available at the Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District offi ce. The QCBID control monitor is confi gured exactly like the color graphic display unit for the master control station except that the QCBID control monitor is connected to the control computer through a telephone modem. Monitors in the other District’s offi ces allow personnel to access, and print out if wanted, information on the current operation of the canal system.

REMOTE TERMINAL UNITSRemote site control is provided by the Sutron 9000-series RTU, which is a very fl exible, modular system designed for data acquisition, telemetry, and control. The 9000 RTU is based on a microprocessor module containing a 8088 microprocessor chip giving the RTU vast amounts of computing power in a very small package. A custom backplane bus in the RTU allows specialty modules to be added to provide the functions necessary for a particular site. In the Columbia Basin SCADA System the following modules are used:

Analog Input Module-allows inputs from devices, such as ultrasonic water level measurement systems and the gate position potentiometers, that provide analog voltage outputs.

Digital I/O Module-provides the control outputs necessary to open and close gates at dams and check structures. Also provides digital (switch closure) inputs for limit switches and alarms.

Display Module-provides a 24 character alpha-numeric display of any value stored in the RTU. This includes water levels, gate position, and gate setpoint.

Communications Module-provides the radio control and two-way communications functions for the RTU.

The 9000 RTU has room for the microprocessor card and up to five other modules, allowing easy confi guration of the RTU for any situation. The RTU enclosure is mounted inside an insulated, sealed (NEMA-4) enclosure, along with the required peripherals such as the power supply, analog and digital termination boards, radio, and battery.

The Sutron 9000 RTUs come with the operating system in Read Only Memory (ROM) on the microprocessor module. Programming for the 9000 RTU is done in Sutron Data Language (SDL). This powerful programming language allows the user to tell the RTU what tasks to perform and how and when to perform them. Users in the Columbia Basin System program the RTU using either the portable test set or any other MS-DOS microcomputer to enter site configuration data. New programming for the 9000 RTUs can be created on any MS-DOS microcomputer, compiled into a format for use by the RTU and downloaded into the RTU. It is easy for the users specialized applications to be programmed in SDL for downloading into the RTU.



8/24/2006

PURPOSEHydromet information is transmitted to LCRAs River Operations Center (ROC) and its Emergency Operations Center, where LCRA hydrologists make operating decisions about six dams and balance water volume coming and going into the Highland Lakes.

LCRA is adding 80 more stations by end of 2006 to expand their network. The following describing the system Sutron provided is from LCRA News, August 2002.

When the rains came the week of July Fourth 2002, LCRA’s employees managed one of the biggest fl oods in the Colorado River basin in years. LCRA staff stepped into high-profi le roles: opening fl ood- gates, closing lakes to boaters, and operating a hotline to answer questions.

We are talking about LCRAs Hydromet - short for Hydrometerological - Data Acquisition System - the electronic network of remote gauges that constantly feed data on water levels, stream fl ows, precipitation and other information to a central computer in Austin.

The Hydromet enjoyed “nearly 100 percent reliability during this entire event,” said Geoff Saunders, supervisor of the ROC, the nerve center where much of the action takes place during fl oods.

That’s despite some Hydromet sites suffering from Central Texas’ brand of water torture. For example, three feet of water swamped a new gauge LCRA installed a few months ago on South Grape Creek near Luckenbach. But its electronic gear was undamaged and it continued to accurately report throughout the fl ood, reported Sean Maijala, supervisor of hydrology fi eld operations.

...More than ever, LCRA relies on this real-time data to manage an area with a fast-growing population stretching extremes of droughts and fl oods. It helps LCRA create better fl ood-forecasting models, more effi ciently manage the Highland Lakes and warn the public of fl ooding.

“It’s our eyes and ears out there,” said Wes Birdwell, manager of LCRA’s River Operations. The Hydromet also feeds the National Weather Service’s West Gulf River Forecast Center, which operates its own network gauges and has primary responsibility for forecasting fl ooding conditions in most of Texas, New Mexico and parts of Louisiana.

“Yours may be one of the most extensive in the Southwest,” said Jerry Nunn, hydrologist in charge for the West Gulf River Forecast Center in Fort Worth. And LCRA is making it more extensive. When a fi ve-year, $7.3 million Hydromet expansion and modernization project is completed next year, LCRA will have about 200 gauges, with many new ones in the Hill Country, territory with rocky terrain and thin soils that make it maong the nation’s worst areas for fl ash fl ooding.

BETTER FLOOD FORECASTING“Hydromet expansion is necessary to keep up withsoaring residential development,” Birdwell said. “We’re trying to eliminate blind spots.”

Bob Huber, a senior engineer in LCRA’s Water Services operation, said more gauges make computer modeling more useful, so residents can be alerted not only to fl ooding but when and how much water is on the way.

“We can tell … something is coming and how high the water will be six hours from now. That’s the kind of thing we are working on” Huber said. ‘It becomes more and more obvious every time we have a fl ood how much people depend on us. We want to be the best in the country at this if we can.”

OUT IN THE FIELDWith so many gauges spread across Texas, LCRA has created a team of 14 staff whose job it is to assemble, install, maintain and calibrate the equipment. Maijala supervises the employees ...measuring the size of channels in rivers and creeks necessary to calculate how fast a stream fl ows. During the most recent fl ood, Maijala and his team worked around-the-clock taking new measurements and making sure gauges were calibrated.

LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY SCADA PROJECT

OWNER: Lower Colorado River Authority Austin, TX

TOTAL: $654,136 initially. Over $1.2 million as of June 2006

DATES: 1997 - on-going

EQUIPMENT: 220 Data Collection Platforms with EDACS RADIO, GOES Satellite, Phone communications; 3 BASE STATIONS

CONTACT: Sean Maijala, LCRA (512)356-6006 [email protected]


products scada qualificationslighthouse.tamucc.edu/dnrpub/sutron/xpert/corporate...21300 ridgetop...

Documents