Dam and Water Resource Level and Volume Monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Dam and Water Resource Level and Volume Monitoring Solution operate in open water bodies?

The Dam and Water Resource Level and Volume Monitoring Solution utilizes a heavy-duty marine floating buoy housing the wireless transmitter, which floats on the surface of the dam or reservoir. An IP68-rated 316L stainless steel hydrostatic pressure probe is lowered from the buoy to the bottom of the water body. The probe measures the exact water column pressure above it, converts that pressure into precise liquid depth, and relays the signal to the buoy transmitter. The buoy then broadcasts encrypted telemetry via LoRaWAN® or NB-IoT/LTE-M to the Ellenex Software Platform for live storage tracking.  

How does the solution convert raw water level depth into volumetric storage capacity (Megalitres or cubic meters)?

The Ellenex Software Platform features an integrated formula configuration and volume calibration engine. Users can upload site-specific bathymetric survey data, depth-to-volume rating curves, or geometric dam dimensions directly into the platform interface. Once mapped, incoming live hydrostatic depth readings are automatically transformed into total stored volume ($\text{m}^3$ or Megalitres) and percentage full capacity (%), giving operators instantaneous visibility into total stored water reserves.  

How do I install the Dam and Water Resource Level and Volume Monitoring Solution in a remote farm dam or tailing pond?

Deployment is fast and straightforward, requiring no specialized power tools, developer setup, or wiring. Field personnel attach the weighted IP68 hydrostatic probe to its heavy-duty cable, lower it from the floating buoy unit, and launch the buoy into the dam. The buoy can be tethered to a bank anchor or mooring line to keep it positioned in deeper water away from shallow shorelines. Once turned on via its internal switch, the pre-configured system automatically connects and begins streaming live data to the Ellenex Software Platform.  

How does the floating buoy handle fluctuating water margins and shifting shorelines during droughts or heavy rain?

Fixed shore-mounted sensors often become stranded above the waterline during severe droughts or submerged during floods. The Dam and Water Resource Level and Volume Monitoring Solution solves this by using a UV-resistant, impact-proof floating buoy that rises and falls naturally with water levels. Because the buoy moves vertically with the water surface, the submerged hydrostatic probe maintains its fixed position relative to the dam floor, delivering continuous, uninterrupted depth readings regardless of shoreline retreat.  

How are water managers notified through the Ellenex Software Platform if a dam reaches spillway capacity or experiences abnormal drawdown?

The Ellenex Software Platform includes a customizable multi-channel dynamic alert engine. System administrators can configure dynamic high-water thresholds (e.g., spillway overtopping warnings) and abnormal drawdown alerts (indicating pipe leaks or illegal pumping). If water levels cross set parameters, the platform immediately dispatches automated alerts via SMS, email, or mobile app push notifications, enabling rapid operational responses.  

How does atmospheric pressure compensation work on an open water floating buoy?

Barometric weather changes can affect uncompensated hydrostatic pressure readings. To ensure complete accuracy, the hydrostatic sensor cable includes an internal capillary vent tube that runs up into the vented, weather-sealed buoy enclosure. This tube references the internal sensor element directly to surrounding atmospheric pressure, automatically canceling out barometric weather shifts and ensuring true liquid depth measurements year-round.  

What routine maintenance is required for the system over its operational lifespan?

The solution is engineered to be virtually maintenance-free. Powered by an internal, replaceable 3.6V Lithium ($\text{LiSOCl}_2$) primary battery and controlled by ultra-low-power firmware, it requires no external solar panels, battery charging, or power wiring. Depending on the data transmission frequency set on the Ellenex Software Platform (such as bi-hourly or daily updates), the battery delivers an operational field lifespan of up to 10 years before requiring replacement.