For a quick introduction to our SedEvent turn-key turbidity threshold sampling (TTS) system for accurately calculating suspended sediment loads, check out this short video.

While suspended sediment concentration (SSC) cannot be directly measured accurately or reliably, turbidity has been shown to be an excellent surrogate for SSC. Turbidity is caused by suspended particulate matter such as clay, silt, algae, organic and inorganic chemicals and acids like fertilizers, and microscopic organisms like harmful bacteria. These contents give water its cloudy or turbid appearance, and turbidity in natural waters is recognized as an important indicator of natural health.

Measuring suspended sediment concentrations used to be labor-intensive, costly, inaccurate and impractical. SedEvent not only makes it possible and practical, it makes it simple.

Tags: SedEvent, sediment, turbidity, video, water quality

Even if it has been warmer than usual in much of North America, Alaska is seeing a real winter, even by it’s standards.

The Alaskan fire RAWS (Remote Automated Weather Station) network, which comprises about 133 FTS fixed RAWS, regularly sustains extremely cold temperatures and extremely large temperature swings. This past January was no exception, with the Noatak station recording 8 days having an average temperature of minus 50°F (-45.6°C) or lower, and a temperature swing of 48 degrees Fahrenheit within a span of 6 days. Despite the extreme temperatures, data for wind speed and direction, air temperature and humidity and solar radiation was measured and transmitted over GOES, with not one missed transmission for the entire month. The data can be viewed on the WRCC website. Read More...

Tags: Alaska, temperature, Cold, Remote, GOES

Stevens Water Monitoring Systems, Inc., based in Portland, OR has entered into an agreement with FTS to sell and distribute the DTS-12 turbidity sensor. Stevens was searching for a high-quality, turbidity-only sensor to add to their existing family of water quality sensors, and ultimately chose the DTS-12 for its extreme long-term accuracy and stability combined with low maintenance requirements, thanks mainly to its unique self-cleaning wiper cleaning system, which makes it ideal for permanent, in situ continuous turbidity monitoring applications. When combined with a datalogger or DCP controlling an automatic water sampler with event-triggered algorithm programming, the DTS-12 provides an effective means of determining suspended sediment concentrations. Read More...

Tags: dts-12, distributors, water quality, suspended sediment, turbidity

Originally posted 01/06/12
The latest version of the software that powers the Axiom datalogger has been released. The some significant changes include:

• support for upcoming FTS hardware products (AirTalk, our new CS2 GOES transmitter)
• an easy interface for configuring the SDI RMYoung Wind Monitor and Tavis stage sensors
• significant enhancements to the SDI command setup and stage offset tool
• Support for SHEF format

To obtain the new software and instructions for updating your datalogger, visit our Technical Support Resources page (authorization required, contact us to get your access code).

UPDATE: The new version has been temporarily removed while we address an issue that was found post-release. It will be re-released soon, including a patch for the issue found. Read More...

Tags: Axiom, Software

In many US states and Canadian provinces the value of commercial logging cannot be understated. It provides the essential raw materials for a host of uses, and of course thousands of people are employed in the forestry and timber industries.

But as the saying goes, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, and logging companies’ activities can have serious impacts on other elements of the environment. And one aspect of the environment that can be hugely affected by intensive logging is water quality. For example, tree shade helps maintain water temperatures; vital for the well being of economically important trout and salmon. As a result several states, including California and Washington, impose strict laws defining the requirement to leave specific volumes of uncut trees by rivers and streams.
Read More...

Tags: water quality, SedEvent, sediment, turbidity, EPA