ALERT System 

Our ALERT systems match all standard ALERT protocols, including ALERT2. Our data loggers, proven in thousands of applications worldwide, provide multiple types of inputs (pulse, analog, SDI-12, and others), which allow you to use almost any type of water-level sensor (including pressure transducers, shaft encoders, bubblers, and ultrasonic distance sensors). The onboard algorithms are able to calculate hourly and daily minimums, maximums, averages, totals, flow, or any other statistical value. These values can be stored onboard the system, providing you with a backup of the data. A solar panel provides continuous charge to the battery for your extended, unattended monitoring needs. 

If you need additional sensors to measure soil moisture, water quality, or meteorological conditions, it is easy to integrate them. We can upgrade older systems—even those from other manufacturers—with the latest data logger and transmitter, often allowing you to use the same sensors and standpipe or enclosure. 

ALERT2 Systems 

The added performance of ALERT2 systems makes them a logical choice for new systems and for upgrading existing networks. The main advantage is the ability to have larger networks and greatly reduced data loss. When you upgrade an older ALERT network to ALERT2, you don’t have to update the complete system all at once. Rather, you can complete the upgrade in phases to ease the cost and labor burdens. All the other functions and features of the original ALERT systems are still available with ALERT2. 

Campbell Scientific equipment has been used for some of the largest and most widely used ALERT2 networks in the country. For an example of the performance of these systems, read the “Texas: Transitioning to ALERT2” case study. 

Note: ALERT2 is a trademark of the National Hydrologic Warning Council. 

Hybrid ALERT Systems 

Our hybrid systems consist of an ALERT system integrated with additional sensors and communications peripherals. One or two radio frequencies can be used, depending on your needs. With a single frequency, two-way communications are avoided during storm events to allow more bandwidth for one-way ALERT communications. You may, however, choose to use two frequencies: one for ALERT and the other for a fully functional, two-way communications network. This provides the following inherent advantages: 

• • Retries of missed packets 
  • Diagnostics 
  • Clock synchronization 
  • Re-programming from the base station 
  • Historical data collection (no holes in the data) 
  • Interactive control capability 
  • Voice modem call-out of alarms 

If you are able to measure additional parameters at your ALERT site, or to integrate ALERT capabilities with another type of measurement site, it may be easier for you to collaborate with another organization. Collaboration may help keep your costs down. 

Customized Flood Warning Network Using LoggerNet Software 

A flood warning network that uses LoggerNet software takes advantage of two-way RF communications and the latest in network management software. LoggerNet is a client/server software program used for managing large networks of monitoring stations. A LoggerNet-based system is a viable solution for flood warning applications for two reasons: 

• • The speed at which LoggerNet can poll multiple RF stations 
  • The speed and versatility with which LoggerNet can make the data available to multiple interested parties  

When a “send data” command is broadcast to a group of remote stations, the stations transmit predefined data to the LoggerNet server in their own time window. Transmission windows can be as short as 100 ms, allowing multiple sites to be polled per second. As the data is collected, LoggerNet clients access it from LANs or via the Internet, making the data available to multiple users or agencies in near real time. 

Other Resources and Options 

To meet your application’s specific needs, you can combine other resources and communications options with flood warning systems. It is common for local governments to combine resources to obtain the best possible system. In other situations, federal agencies are involved, which increases system coverage and robustness, and even helps with the budget. For example, GOES satellite transmitters can be added to stations to provide automated data archival through the National Weather Service (NOAA/NESDIS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Multiple-purpose data-collection systems bring to bear the resources and expertise of environmental data experts.