Water Level (Lakes, Reservoirs, Tanks)

There are hundreds of transducer type sensors in the market today. There are a few things that set them apart. Most of these type of sensors use pressure on a thin wafer type sensor to measure the depth of water or even the pressure of the air. The other main sensor type is called a vibrating wire piezometer. This sensor uses a tiny wire and measures the vibration frequency of the wire when plucked by the sensor. The depth of the water changes the frequency of the wire.

Built-in Dataloggers

Some of the pressure sensors available have a built-in datalogger and these are often used in ground water monitoring due to their small form factor and ease of use and installation. We sell and support the Campbell Scientific CRS451/CRS456 water level and temperature dataloggers, and the Onset HOBO Water Level Loggers. These sensors have built-in dataloggers and are easy to deploy for measuring water levels in a variety of applications.

Datalogger and Sensor Integration

By combining a pressure transducer or vibrating wire sensor with one of the Campbell Scientific dataloggers you can create a rugged and flexible water level monitoring system. The CR300, CR800 series, and CR1000 dataloggers can read many different types of outputs and offer reliable data collection and can be implemented as a control system or warning system in many types of applications.

There are many sensors available here are a few we recommend. Contact us if you need something else; we can generally match what you are seeking.

1. HOBO MX2001 Water Level Logger – Includes datalogger, built-in barometric compensation, and bluetooth readout
2. Acculevel Pressure Transducer – No internal datalogger
3. CS451 Pressure Transducer – No internal datalogger
4. CRS451 Water Level & Temperature Recording Sensor – Includes internal datalogger
5. Onset HOBO Water Level Loggers – Includes internal datalogger

The Senix Toughsonic, rugged, ultrasonic distance sensors are a great solution for remotely measuring water levels. The 316 stainless steel housing provides superior corrosion and chemical resistance and resists pitting. Sensors can be assembled with custom cables or connectors. Serial data-only models are available for remote monitoring and other serial data-only applications.

These sensors are ideal for open channel flow in flumes and weirs and tank levels of benign liquids.

The OTT-CBS is a compact bubbler that generally measures ground or surface water level, but can also measure any liquid level. This bubbler has an accuracy of ±0.02 ft. A Campbell Scientific datalogger controls the OTT-CBS pump and calculates the measurements. The bubbler typically communicates with the datalogger via the SDI-12 protocol, which is supported by many dataloggers.

OTT-CBS Benefits

• Ideal for areas where submersed sensors can be damaged due to corrosion, contamination, flood-related debris, lightning, or vandalism
• Compatible with most Campbell Scientific dataloggers
• Easy to maintain
• Robust pump design provides reliable operation
• Consistent accuracy ensured by drift-free measurements and offset compensation using relative measurement
• Purge function clears the measuring tube and the bubble chamber of contamination
• Does not use pressurized nitrogen tank—requiring less frequent attendance
• Existing tubes can be used

The CS475A is a radar-ranging sensor that monitors water level of rivers, lakes, tidal seas, and reservoirs. It can measure distances up to 35 meters. The CS475A outputs a digital SDI-12 signal to indicate distance and stage.

CS475A Benefits

• Ideal for areas where submersed sensors can be damaged due to corrosion, contamination, flood-related debris, lightning, or vandalism
• Compatible with most Campbell Scientific dataloggers
• Low maintenance—no moving parts significantly reduces maintenance cost and time
• Low power consumption mode available
• Rugged enough for harsh environments—IP68 rating
• No FCC license required
• Wide operating temperature range (-40° to + 80° C)
• SDI-12 Version1.4 functionality

The potentiometric float and pulley water level sensor is a modernized version of a time-tested sensor technology. The sensing mechanism consists of a float and counter-weight which are attached to a flat tape or ladder chain. The tape or chain runs over a pulley wheel. The openings on the tape or chain mesh with the notches in the pulley wheel to give a positive drive.

As the water level rises or lowers, the float goes up and down, thus turning the pulley wheel. The pulley shaft is coupled to a precision 10-turn potentiometer. The potentiometer converts mechanical changes into electrical changes. Changes in the potentiometers resistance are detected by the measurement system. The measurement system converts the potentiometer output to digital form and converts the results to the appropriate units of water level (i.e feet) change.

The pulley wheel circumference is 12 inches so that each full turn of the potentiometer corresponds to a one foot change in water level. A 10 foot change in water level can be measured.