Remote Data Transmission (Proceedings of the Vancouver Workshop, August 1987). IAHS Publ. no. 178,1989.

Hydrological data acquisition system for remote, arid regions in Saudi Arabia
MOHAMED J . ABDULRAZZAK and ALI UNAL SORMAN F a c u l t y of M e t e o r o l o g y , Environment and Arid Land A g r i c u l t u r e Department o f Hydrology and Water R e s o u r c e s Management P . O . Box 9034 King Abdulaziz University Jeddah, 21413, Saudi Arabia OMAR ABU RIZA1ZA Faculty of Engineering Department of Civil Engineering P.O. Box 9027 King Abdulaziz University Jeddah, 21413, Saudi Arabia ABSTRACT Recent progress in the field of electronics and telecommunications in the last decade has revolutionized hydrological data acquisition and transmission systems. The adoption of such technology in arid countries such as Saudi Arabia will overcome the problems associated with lack of trained personnel, remoteness and inaccessibility of sites, maintenance, as well as quality and type of data collected. This paper discusses the automated data collection system and its sensory elements currently being used by the project team in a research project on ground water recharge in the alluvial systems in remote areas. The system consists of data loggers that can continuously measure more than ten hydrological variables. The logger stores the data on a reusable module and data can be retrieved by computer, or adapted through a telephone modem for direct data transfer. In this study, the system is used for monitoring soil moisture at different depths, ambient and air temperature and water level fluctuation. Rainfall, surface and ground water recorders are fitted with a data pod where data is stored on microchips for easy retrieval. The accuracy of results and the appropriateness of the system for Saudi Arabian conditions is addressed. INTRODUCTION Rapid development in Saudi Arabia in recent years has placed strain on the environment and the water resources of the Kingdom. In order to preserve the natural environment, manage the limited water resources and reduce the impact of severe weather phenomena, continuous collection, processing and analyses of hydrometeorological and environmental data for different regions is required. These data are vital for planning and development purposes, particularly in the southwestern region of the country which is characterized by steep escarpments and intense, erratic rainfall resulting in flash floods which cause considerable damage and loss of life in rural farming communities. These factors, together with lack of trained personnel and arid climate variability, plus the fact that some areas are inaccessible, created the need for establishment and operation of an extensive hydrometeorological network which would cover the large expanse of the Kingdom; an area of more than two million square kilometers. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture and Water

81

Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak et al.

82

(MAW) and the Meteorological and Environmental Protection Administration (MEPA) have been operating a network of hydrometeorological and environmental data collection stations. The Ministry operates its own hydrological network which includes 450 recording and non recording rain gauges, 100 runoff stations and a network of crest gauges and ground water observation wells (Daloog, 1982). Previously, hydrometeorological parameters were measured by mechanical devices and recorded on charts. The network was operated and maintained by personnel stationed in the nine field offices located throughout the Kingdom. To reduce the manpower requirement and to improve the efficiency of the system, a computerized program was initiated. This program digitized, stored, processed and provided hard copies of the data. Recently, the Ministry has installed a limited number of automated meteorological stations. MEPA currently operates a network of 29 manned synoptic stations and 24 automatic weather and environmental stations. The original 17 automatic data collection stations installed in 1979 became operational only in 1982. Additional stations were commissioned at a later stage to increase the number of stations to 24. The 24 automated stations were originally designed to relay their information via the Meteosat satellites to be received at MEPA headquarters in Jeddah (Abdulrazzak, 1987). Unfortunately, problems were inherent from the inception of the satellite program in 1982, and the system is still not fully operational to date due to satellite system failure. Currently, the data for some stations is being recorded on cassette tapes which are later forwarded to the data center for processing. For some of the stations, data is being relayed through radio transmission. In view of problems with the methods mentioned above, transmission through the public telephone system is currently the only feasible alternative. This method too, however, has its limitations, since it is possible to transfer data from only those stations located near cities or towns having telephone service. For areas where real time rainfall and runoff data is required, this method is impossible due to remoteness and inaccessibility. In view of these difficulties, it was decided to undertake a pilot study using an electronic data acquisition system which could provide reliable, continuously recorded data, which required neither manpower nor a transmission system. The pilot study will be used to monitor ground water recharge by collecting reliable hydrological data on rainfall, runoff, soil moisture, evaporation under arid climatic conditions and also to test the suitability of the data acquisition system so that guidelines for selecting specific data recording and processing methods can be suggested. The study reach, wadi Tabalah, is located in the hydrologically active southwestern region of the Kingdom, where timely hydrological and meteorological data is required for planning and advanced warning. A description of the study area, the data acquisition system and an assessment of its utility and suitability to conditions in Saudi Arabia is addressed. WADI TABALAH STUDY REACH Wadi Tabalah is a typical major drainage basin in the Southwestern region of the Kingdom. It is located on the eastern side of a mountainous escarpment which runs parallel to the Red Sea coast. It has a drainage area of 1270 square kilometers, is approximately 65 kilometers in length and the elevation ranges from 1200 to 2440 m above sea level. Due to its hydrological characteristics, this area has been selected as one of the representative

83

Hydrological data acquisition system for remote arid regions in Saudi Arabia

basins in the country and is being extensively studied by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water (MAW), through the consulting firm of Dames and Moore (1986). The basin has been instrumented and is monitored by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water since 1983 through an extensive network of 13 recording rainfall stations, three runoff stations, one climate station and five ground water observation wells. In addition to the existing equipment, the team added seven observation wells, three runoff stations, one rainfall recording station, vapotranspiration and soil moisture sensors in the selected pilot study area (figure 1). DATA ACQUISITION SYSTEM Self-sufficiency and reliability were the characteristics foremost in the design of the data acquisition system for the study area. A system which would continuously monitor a variety of variables, for extended periods of time (two weeks or more) was vital. Therefore, two types of battery operated electronic data loggers were chosen for this purpose (Abdulrazzak & Sorman, 1986)Easy Loggers and Datapod recorders manufactured by Omnidata Inc. While both types of loggers have sensors to measure various hydrological parameters, the Easy Logger is used to measure soil moisture, temperature and stream water level, while the Datapod recorders are used mainly for measuring vapotranspiration and water level fluctuation in the stream as well as in the observation wells, besides recording rainfall. The configuration of the designed data acquisition system is shown in figure 2. EASY LOGGER The Easy Logger is a multi-channel and programmable electronic data logging system. It consists of the field unit, terminal and sensor, data storage pack (DSP), reader and eraser. The field unit is a battery operated central processing unit. The sensors, depending on their type, can be connected to any of the following; Analog input channels (12), Digital input channels (4); Pulse counting channels (2); or Frequency counter channels. The number of channels can be increased by the use of an optional multiplexer, although it was not needed in this study. The field unit can provide four types of excitation for the sensors: regulated 5v DC, variable, alternating current, and unregulated (battery voltage). Thus, with such a wide spectrum of input channels and types of excitation allowed, any type of sensor can be hooked to the field unit. The unit stores the sensor output on a 32 or 64KByte, EPROM data storage pack. This data can be sent automatically to the office computer through the MODEM post on the unit or the data storage pack can be transferred to the office for processing. Due to the remoteness of the site, telephone lines and radio transmission are not available at the station. However, the logger has a built-in capability to communicate with a microcomputer through telephone modem. A modem at the field station, powered by the voltage in the telephone line, can establish asynchronous communication, and data formatted in ASCII can be transmitted to the office microcomputer. The field unit is programmed, set and checked by the Easy Logger terminal. The terminal is powered by the field unit, and through interactive programming it sets the field unit as to which sensors are used, what channels those sensors are wired to, what conversion (analog to digital) formula is to be used for each sensor, when to scan and when to retrieve data, and how to label and organize the data in the data storage pack. The data logger system is

Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak et al. 4200'E

84

. Watershed Boundary Seasonal Stream (Wadi) Town Main Highway Raingiuge station Runoff station
KINGDOM OE SAUDI ARABIA

FIG. 1

Tabalah experimental reach location map

85

Hydrological data acquisition system for remote arid regions in Saudi Arabia

connected to soil moisture sensors, soil temperature sensors, and water level sensors. Sensors for measuring the other hydrological parameters can be added to the system. For continuous measurement of soil moisture, the SM900 Soiltest Moisture Cell is used. The SM900 sensing element consists of two metal plates separated by a fiberglass binding which changes resistance with respect to moisture content. The Easy Logger applies a 5v AC excitation to the sensor, and converts the reading bars and then to moisture content, depending on the method of calibration. The repeatability of sensor response is good, but resistance vs soil moisture relation is variable between individual probes, so each sensor was individually calibrated before use. Soil temperature sensors are used to measure temperature in the soil profile. The sensor which can be connected to the data logger is the type TP10 thermometer that is used in conjunction with the vapotranspiration Datapod 219. It consists of a thermistor and a 249K precision resistor in a half bridge configuration. The thermistor is a temperature sensitive resistor which decreases its resistance as temperature increases. It is excited by 5v DC from the Easy Logger and measures between -50 and +80 degrees C. Accuracy is +_0.25 degrees C, and response time is around 1 minutes.

DATAPOD RECORDERS The automated recording system consists of three types of recorders: a one channel tipping bucket rainfall recorder DP101, a one channel stream stage recorder DP115, and a two channel vapotranspiration recorder DP219. The system also includes sensors, data storage modules (DMS), a data reader (model 217), and ultraviolet eraser.

DP101 Characteristics The rainfall Datapod 101 logger is used for continuous recording of rainfall events. It is basically a one channel event recorder and is connected to the mercury switch on the tipping bucket rain gauge. It records the time at which the bucket tips, which corresponds to a rainfall accumulation of 0.01 inch. The tipping motion of the bucket activates the mercury switch, causing an electrical impulse to be sent to the recording unit. The DSM is capable of storing up to 65,535 events corresponding to 655 inches of cumulative rainfall. The period of unattended operation for the DP101 is not limited by the DSM capacity, but rather by the life of the batteries. Typically the DP101 is inspected every three to four weeks, and the DSM is replaced for processing. The DSM is unloaded via the Omnidata 217 reader into the computer and is then erased and reused. The DP101 is a one channel, time of event recorder. Sensors are switch closure or 4 to 6v DC pulses lasting 10 ms minimum. Storage capacity is 2047 spaces and six spaces per day are used for time synchronization data. The medium used is non-volatile, interchangeable memory modules and retrieval is via built-in display or reader. Clock accuracy is within 3 minutes per month in temperatures from -10 degrees C to +60 degrees C. It performs a self test on power-up. It operates in an environment from -35 degrees C to +60 degrees C, 0 to 100$ relative humidity, dust and water tight. It is powered by 8 "AA" alkaline cells, lasting typically 3 months.

Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak et al.

86

g
*HSU3 3A3)KC

*mm. vsxz

m
a

c o

o
ai ai Q

a *

o
O rH

&I

87 DP115 Characteristics

Hydrological data acquisition system for remote arid regions in Saudi Arabia

Stage and ground water level is measured by a single channel water level recorder. It operates in conjunction with 10-turn potentiometer sensors with 5000 to 100,000 ohm resistance, that is mounted to a Richard's type float-driven device. Resolution is 0.01 foot in 10 feet of water. A pulley mounted on a shaft is rotated by the rise and fall of the float which rides on the water surface. Rotation of the pulley is transmitted through the shaft to the potentiometer. Corresponding signals from the potentiometer are then passed to the data logger. DP115 samples the input signal from the potentiometer at a minimum interval of 6 minutes, and stores it on the Data Storage Module (DSM). It basically records the time and amount of change in water level from a prescribed reference. The retrieval and processing of data in the DSM is the same as in the rainfall recorder, however DP115 has a limited storage capacity of 2047. Therefore, it uses a sophisticated data compaction system to effectively increase storage space and the period of unattended operation. Consequently, this necessitates use of a special computer program to decode the raw compacted data into interprtable form.

DP219 Characteristics The DP219 logger is used to measure vapotranspiration. This logger is a two-channel, field potential vapotranspiration recorder. The DP219 measures solar radiation and temperature from a LiCor LI200E pyranometer and an Omnidata TP10V temperature probe, respectively. The sensor consists of a silicon photovoltaic detector mounted in a level position. The sensor's spectral response does not cover the full range of the solar spectrum, but the maximum error induced is 5% under most conditions of natural daylight. The sensor picks the wavelengths between 400 and 960 nanometers, provided the angle of incidence is less than 80 degrees. The response time is 10 microseconds. The sensor does not require any excitation. It sends a signal between 0 to 10 MV from the solar radiation it receives. This signal is converted to Langleys/min, and together with the temperature signal the vapotranspiration rate can be computed using the Jensen-Haise formula. DP219 takes a reading once each 10 minutes and at the end of the day it stores the following data: Day number (with respect to the start day) maximum temperature in degrees F, minimum temperature, average temperature, total daily solar radiation (Langleys) and cumulative potential vapotranspiration (.01 inches).

SYSTEM OPERATION AND MANAGEMENT The performance of the data acquisition system was monitored by a monthly site visit. The system has been operational for more than two years and seems to withstand the extreme climatic conditions. The maintenance program was mainly to check the data stored, resetting of the float, change the batteries and replacement of the data storage modules. Minor problems were faced with the display bottom of the data pod system: the excessive dust and heat do not seem to affect the system.

Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak et al.

4200' 4210' 4220' 4230'

,
.225'

.6.4

<^*f
S 004

ool20 -55 19
.50. 45 217'

/ VL(__ 234 ^ / ^
LEGEND

19

.40 19

A o B

Runoff station Raingauge station Climatic station Channel network

Road

19 19 -216

Watershed boundarjy lsohyet (mm)

FIG. 3

Areal distribution of rainfall patterns at Tabalah Basin, April 13, 1986

1.20 43.69
1.10 1.00

dg= 23.88mm
0-90 0-8O
ID

is

<

0.70 0.60

<
5 0.50
0.40 0.30 0.20
_W_I

SWL

1 (8.405)

l_

10 20 22 24 02 04 0.60.810 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 TIME APRIL 13,86* APRIL 14,86 (DAYS)

FIG. 4

Surface stage hydrographs on April 13 and 14, 1986

89
DATA COLLECTION PROGRAM

Hydrological data acquisition system for remote arid regions in Saudi Arabia

Advanced technological recording equipment can contribute to the timely collection and processing of essential information. The proposed data collection system can provide reliable hydrological data essential for water resources in the country. The collected data from this pilot study provide essential information for modelling the recharge process. A sample of the hydrological data collected for the last two years is analyzed for each event during 1985-1987. This data consists of the areal average rainfall for typical events including rainfall, runoff hydrograph, soil moisture, and ground water recharge hydrographs. A sample of the processed data for the April 13, 1986 event is presented in figures 3, ^, and 5.

-Well # 2

Well 4 5 Wetl# 1

12 16 20 T I M E (hr)

2U

28

FIG. 5 Recharge hydrographs for different wells in Tabalah Reach on April 13, 1986

Mohamed J. Abdulrazzak et al. CONCLUSIONS

90

Reliable short interval data is being collected for the first time, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under arid climatic conditions. The system provides reliable data for rainfall-runoff stage hydrographs, soil moisture distribution and ground water recharge under arid flow regimes. Easy installation and expedient data processing through the computer system are some of the assets of this system. It can be used for real time data acquisition through satellite or telephone link. The system appears to be rugged and well suited to remote, extremely arid desert conditions, where there is lack of trained personnel and problems with site accessibility. Due to its reliability and easy operation, it is recommended that the existing network stations with mechanical recorders, be fitted with automatic data logger systems similar to those being used in this study. This would be advantageous in the long run, in the event that the stations are eventually linked by satellite or telephone, to the main control offices, for rapid retrieval and processing of data. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This study was sponsored by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. REFERENCES Abdulrazzak, M.J. (1987), Hydrometeorologic Measurement in Remote Areas of Saudi Arabia, Workshop on Telemetry and Data Transmission for Hydrology, March 23-27, Toulouse, France. Abdulrazzak, M.J. and Sorman, A.U. (1986), Estimate of Natural Ground Water Recharge. Second progress report KACST, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Daloog, A., et al, (1982), Water Resources Development Conference. Ministry of Planning, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia - Dames & Moore, (1986), Representative Basin Study for Wadi Tabalah, unpublished report, Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.