[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Today is 3/15/19

Sorry to hear about the oxide blackening the optic window of the turbidity sensor for SL 105-Paulinskill.

Little new information on other stations, continuation of needs for cleaning, or variability in batteries and need to check to see if it is dry.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Report from 3/25/19

See attached.  Last storm event on 3/21-22 resulted in new fouling of sensors.

Battery at SL121 Hunter D has declined significantly, now at 3.58v and should be recharged.

SL 171 Loper Run, sensors have recently been buried as turbidity is 900-1200 NTU.  If there is no regular manager, it would be good if someone could check the sensors.  Also SL 172 Indiana field Br has packed or buried sensors with turbidity of 1400 NTU, which could cause drift in conductivity data.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Report from 3/30/19

SL131-Little Lehigh, water depth and conductivity signals were transmitted to Monitor my Watershed between March 13 and March 16 but not after, and there is no conductivity signal.

Some sites have battery problems that could lead to unreliability.

SL118-Wissahickon, battery is declining further than before, and has long been flashy.  It can be dried with a cloth and recharging might be needed.

SL121-Hunter D, battery continues to decline, now down to 3.5 v, and should be recharged.

SL189-Independence School, battery is dropping rapidly and though it recovers, this was not its previous pattern.  Battery might be moist and should be checked.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Here is a picture of black oxide on the sensor post after cleaning the sensors on 3/31/19 at sl138.

The sensors were highly clogged with stick, leaves, and a green plant – see photo; does anyone recognize the plant?  After cleaning turbidity went down to 2 NTU, but it is usually lower than that at base flow, so will pull the sensors out for a closer inspection.  The turbidity optical sensor window is on the right side of the sensor as being viewed in the photo.

Attachments:

1. 

   black-oxide-on-sensors.jpg
   

2. 

   IMG_2075.jpg
   

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

The black coating at sl138 only appeared recently, which begs the question whether there was material in the leaf, stick, and planting thick packing around the sensors that cause the oxide to accumulate.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Report from 4/5/19

Lots of sediment deposited in the streams and on the sensors since recent storm events.

Battery concerns:

SL121-Hunter D, battery continues to decline, now down to 3.4 v, and should be recharged.

SL131-No signals transmitted since 3/16.  Is the data backed up?  Sensors also need to be cleaned.

SL189-Independence School, battery continues to be too flashy and should be checked for moisture and possibly recharged.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Report from 4/8/19

See the notes attached.

SL121-Hunter D continues to have battery decline, down to 3.38v.

SL131-Is there an update you can report?  No signals transmitted since 3/16.  Is data backed up and station working?

SL149-Were sensors pulled from the water on 3/14, 3/15, 3/23, and 4/6?  Depth and conductivity were abnormal at those time.  If sensors are pulled, conductivity and depth values go to zero.  Temperature and turbidity were recorded near prior values.

[Jim MooreParticipant]

SL-149 was pulled today, 4/8/19, at 12:10 EST.   This is how I clean the turbidity sensor which seems to need to be done every few days.  I don’t see any obvious debris on the sensor but wiping it always drops the reading to 3 to 4 NTU.  I leave the sensor tube bundle out of the water for at least 5 minutes to get a zero reference.

[David BresslerParticipant]

Jim, re SL149 have you tried cleaning the sensors without removing them from the stream or is it easier to just remove them?  Usually it’s more a production to take the pin out and remove the whole bundle than to just submerge the brush and clean that way.  Maybe your situation is different.

[Carol ArmstrongParticipant]

Report for 4/12/19

SL114-Pickering East, str 1 – Stream seems dry (0-5mm depth), conductivity is at 150-200 uS/cm, and turbidity is measuring as flashy and >18 NTU. What are your thoughts on the CTD sensor?

SL105-Paulkinskill – Was the turbidity sensor cleaned despite oxidation on optical window?  After going to baseline (at installation) on 4/7/19, turbidity has risen again above base flow levels.

SL116-West Portal B – Turbidity has been consistently very elevated during winter storms, and is currently >150 NTU.  Station should be checked for general maintenance and QC.

SL117-Sandy Run – Abnormal battery signals are very frequent; should be checked.

SL118-Wissahickon – Sensors were cleaned but turbidity remains elevated at 10-20 NTU indicating sensors need to be cleaned. Battery need to be recharged, is down to 3.2 v.

SL131-Little Lehigh – Still no signals since 3/16/19 to either data portal.  Is there a problem?

SL150-Marsh Creek D(Fairview Rd) – last signals were on 4/9/19 to either data portal.  Was the station turned off?

SL158-Primrose Ck U (Solebury Sch) – Both water depth and conductivity measurements became abnormal beginning the afternoon of 4/10/19, and appeared to be dysfunctional until signals normalized at 13:15 EST today.  Was the sensor removed?  Did not see problems with temperature or battery.

[Author]

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