Plant maintenance, test + measurement
Sensors provide critical flood warnings To create a sophisticated flood monitoring and forecasting system, the US State of Iowa’s Flood Centre (IFC) uses more than 200 Senix ToughSonic 30 and ToughSonic 50 ultrasonic sensors to measure water levels in streams across the state. Data collected from the sensors is automatically sent to the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), where real-time information is integrated into an advanced hydrological model. System data and river stage hydrographs are shared with the public and emergency management oicials.
The entire IFIS flood warning system depends on the ruggedness and reliability of the Senix ToughSonic sensors and the IFC system. The Senix sensors are potted in water-tight steel housings and operate over a humidity range of 0 to 100% at temperatures from -40 to +70°C. A¦er assembly in the IFC lab, each stream gauge is submerged for three days to verify its water-tightness. This testing has proven useful. In the field, numerous sensors have been submerged by flash flooding, and once the flood waters subsided, the sensors resumed sending accurate stream level data without requiring any repairs. “Once installed, the IFC stream gauges are practically 100% maintenance-free,” Ceynar said. “Most stream gauge sites have not been re-visited since they were
The US state of Iowa has experienced floods in the past and the Iowa Flood Centre now uses a sophisticated flood monitoring and forecasting system with more than 200 Senix ToughSonic 30 and ToughSonic 50 ultrasonic sensors to measure water levels in streams across the state.
W ith easy online access to water-level data from sensors, Iowa residents and state agencies can get the reliable, real-time information they need to manage flooding in their areas. Instrotech, local representative for Senix sensors, shares this Senix application report, which is especially relevant for municipal authorities in areas recently impacted by severe flooding as a result of climate change. Ultrasonic sensors chosen for reliability The IFC needed a reliable, cost-eective way to obtain accurate, real-time stream-level readings. Project Engineer Daniel Ceynar decided to try Senix ultrasonic sensors because they had been used for years for water level measurement in the hydrology research labs at IIHR Hydroscience & Engineering at The University of Iowa. The University of Iowa has long been a world leader in hydrological research. Senix ultrasonic sensors were selected because they are designed to integrate easily with other equipment, which included, in this case, the system’s cellular modems, solar panels, on-board clock, and other components. The sensors were also chosen for their ruggedness, programmability, and Senix’s excellent engineering support. “Senix sensors and the Senix technical team have been key to the success of this project,” Ceynar said, noting that the IFC and Senix worked closely together to design a special threaded collar for the ToughSonic 50 so it could be mounted to the IFC Stream Gauge enclosure using the same threading as the ToughSonic 30. That ToughSonic 50 Rear Mount model has since become a standard product for Senix. The sensors are programmed to measure at intervals of five minutes to one hour, using a boxcar average of a preset number of individual measurements. The system sleeps until it’s commanded to wake up to take measurement data and send it to the IFIS. Sensor data is provided via RS-485 serial communication.
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Facilitating disaster management The Senix ToughSonic sensors have provided the IFC and the people of Iowa with essential data for flood forecasting and managing the a¦ermath of flooding. “The system – including stream gauges and other Hydromet data – is routed through the IFIS where it is regularly used by all levels of government, law enforcement and the general public,” Ceynar said. “We had first-hand experience working with our local emergency management coordinator during past floods, in 2013 and 2014, where we participated in the daily briefings using IFIS.” The stream gauges identify where the flood crest is located and track it as it approaches sensitive roads, bridges, and towns. Before the system was in place, it was common for emergency personnel to be dispatched to assess the flooding in threatened locations. But with stream gauges collecting data in real time, emergency responders can focus on helping people instead of tracking flood waters. IFC is a model for the world Ceynar and his colleagues have been contacted by oicials from other states and from countries as far away as Australia. The Washington State Department of Transportation is also evaluating the stream gauges. The State of Iowa is at the forefront of flood-control monitoring systems that enable everyone – from private landowners to emergency personnel – to make informed decisions during a flood event. “The IFC is the only flood centre in the US, and IFIS is the only system of its kind that we are aware of,” Ceynar said. “We continue our eorts to create a National Flood Centre.” Senix is proud to work with innovative research and educational institutions, such as the University of Iowa, in the lab and in the field.
For more information visit: www.instrotech.co.za
FEBRUARY 2026 Electricity + Control
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