Hydrologic Instrumentation and Telemetering

The following report discusses the various phases of work carried out by the Utah State University under a cooperative agreement contract with the Soil Conservation Service for the period extending from June 1965 to June1966. The body of the report discusses instrumentation techniques employed for the remote telemetering of total precipitation and water content of snow. Discussion of performance of a new type pressure pillow is also given for measuring the water content of snow. Data taken during system evaluation is presented in the Appendix

Integrated Measurement of Soil Moisture by Use of Radio Waves

An integrated value of soil moisture can be determine dby measuring the attenuation of vertically-polarized surface radio waves taht are propagated over the ground between a transmitting and receiving atenna. Soil moisture values in the root-zone region were measured over longitudinal distances typically ranging from 50 feet to 600 feet with good results. Integrated soil moisture measurements over greater distances are also possible. Received field strength of propaged radio surface waves closely matches theoretical calculations. The measurement is easily made and does not disturb the soil. Dense, green vegetation, such as alfalfa or corn, causes errors in measurement accuracy. Less dense vegetation, such as range land, does not seriously affect measurement accuracy. The described equipment is portable and can be used by an unskilled operator

Design of a Cost Effective Solar Powered Water Pump

The design and performance of a vacuum lift, solar powered water pump is discussed. The basic design consists of an expanding gaseous piston confined inside a chamber which is located in series with, and between an inlet and an outlet check value. The gas is generated by volatilizing cyclopentane or hexane. Four variations of this basic design concept were built and evaluated. The various features of each are discussed. Considerations in the choice of a cost-effective solar collector are also reviewed. Several of the more promising types of solar collectors were built and evaluated for use on the pump. A 70°C heat source temperature is required to operate the pump if cyclopentane is used as the volatile fluid, 90°C is required if hexane is used. The volatile fluid is not expended in the pumping process. The pumps constructed on this project have a capacity of approximately 6 liters/minute when pumped to a height of 2 meters. Two square meters of sunshine are sufficient to operate the pump

Telemetry System Modifications and 1968-69 Operation

A discussion of telemetering system modifications is given, and discussion is presented of system operations for the 1968-69 snow season. A telemetering error analysis has been made for an operational period in February. A log is presented giving station operation periods, and a general summary of operational costs for the 1968-69 operational year is summarized

Instrumentation and Development of Techniques to Measure and Evaluate Meteorological Parameters Important to Hydrology

Hydro-meteorological instrumentation concepts are discussed. The necessity for an economic and reliable telemetering system is recognized and ways are shown how to achieve this objective. Particular discussion is given on total-precipitation and water-content-of-snow sensing. A method is also presented showing how to make isohyetal plots of telemetered precipitation information on an x-y plotter by use of a resistance paper method in conjunction with an analog computer

USU remote total precipitation telemetry station

A total precipitation catchment and telemetering device is described for use in mountainous regions. The precipitation transucer uses a weighing-type mechanism which has a variable inductor sensor. The catchment system floats on springs and has negligible static friction. The radio transponder is powered by dry batteries. It responds upon coded interrogation, sending hydrologic or meteorological data through a mountaintop translator to a base statio

The Detection of Magnetic Fields Caused by Groundwater

Perturbations on the earth’s magnetic field may coincide with the existence of groundwater. Theoretical calculations are made showing how and to what extent this effect may exist. The suggestion is also made that water dowsers may get a dowsing reaction as a result of entering a change in magnetic gradient. Tests were conducted to determine the statistical significance of dowsing reactions obtained by separate individuals dowsing in a common test area. Approximately 150 people participated in the experiment over a period of one year. Chi-square tests showed considerable statistical significance. Virtually all people tested experienced dowsing reactions though most of them had never dowsed before. There is some evidence of correlation between magnetic gradient changes and dowsing reactions

The Reliability of USU Telemetered Precipitation Data: 1. The Counter Precision Factor for 8 inch by 36 inch Gages

The telemetered precipitation data are read out as frequency or period numbers by an electronic counter. These counts are to be converted to inches of precipitation. The readout electronic count is within 1 count of the transmitted count. This study applies only to the 8 x 36 cans Using the frequency count readout gives a precision of +-.02 to +-.05 of water equivalence and varies between .02 and .04 when there is between 10 and 30 of water equivalence in the can. Period counts give more precise measurements, ranging between +-.01 and +-.03 of precipitation over the whole scale. It is only +-.01 when there is between 15 and 35 of water equivalence in the can. The study also provides an interim set of tables for converting frequency and period counts to precipitation amounts

Design Considerations in the Use of Glauber Salt for Energy Storage

Various design concepts for the utilization of the latent heat of Glauber salt at temperatues between 25 degrees C and 50 degrees C were studied. Consideration was given to system economics and what particular heat storage system if perfected would be most cost effective. The problems of limited crystal size and heat transfer into and out of salt crystals is discussed. Crystal size is affected by the degree of agitation the salt solution experiences during the salt cooling process. Consequently, crystal size was moderated in a favorable way by introducing air bubbles at the bottom of the salt container. As the bubbles rise a mixing action occurs which limits crystal size and helps prohibit the accumulation of an anhydrous sudge that settles out of solution in the freezing-thawing process

Application of an Electronic Analog Computer for the Simulation of Hydrologic Events on a Southwest Watershed

The hydrologic characteristics of watersheds in semiarid regions are dependent upon many variable and often interrelated factors. A quantitative knowledge of these factors and of their relative influence upon the system as a whole is needed in order to improve the efficiency of watershed management in these areas. In an attempt to develop a comprehensive simulation model of a semiarid watershed, research workers in the Agricultural Research Service considered the electronic quently signed with Utah State University. Analog modeling concepts are based upon the development of basic relationships which describe the various processes which occur within the surface hydrologic system of a semiarid watershed. Once established, the model is applicable to any particular geographic unit by determining the appropriate constants of the hydrologic equations. The analog computer is ideally suited to the many time-dependent differential equations which are encountered in hydrologic systems. To test individual equations and to verify the model, a subbasin of Walnut Gulch watershed in southern Arizona was simulated. In preliminary tests, close agreement was achieved between the observed and computed runoff hydrographs for a single storm. Some progress is also reported in the development of an analog technique to plot isohyetal lines corresponding to selected time intervals during the course of a storm