Case Studies - Ott

Aquifer Monitoring Around Northern Texas Panhandle

Blog Team — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:40:46 GMT

Background

Established in 1955, the North Plains Groundwater Conservation District (NPGCD) is responsible for identifying future groundwater concerns in the northern Texas Panhandle and developing solutions before problems arise. Its work includes collecting groundwater data, performing water quality analyses, and conducting well system tests across the district.

The district monitors the Ogallala aquifer, which supplies approximately 95 percent of the water used for crop irrigation in the region and also supports industrial and municipal water use. Due to very limited natural recharge, understanding groundwater decline and recovery rates is critical for sustainable water management and long‑term planning.

Challenge

To make informed decisions on groundwater management, the NPGCD needed more frequent and accessible water‑level data. Manual measurements, taken annually since the early 1980s, no longer provided sufficient insight into seasonal pumping impacts, decline rates, or long‑term trends across the aquifer. The district required a monitoring approach that would deliver near real‑time data across a large and geographically diverse area.

Solution

The groundwater monitoring network now spans approximately 165 miles east to west and up to 60 miles north to south, covering all or parts of eight Texas counties along the borders of Oklahoma and New Mexico.

A total of 37 monitoring wells were equipped with OTT ecoLog 500 water level loggers for continuous groundwater measurement. To enable reliable data transmission from remote locations, 11 stations were fitted with Iridium Wellcaps and OTT PLS pressure sensors, allowing daily data transfer via satellite where cellular coverage was not available.

Telemetry enables all monitoring stations to transmit data directly to the district’s local servers, forming the basis for an online, interactive groundwater map that provides near real‑time visibility of aquifer conditions across the region.

Results

The NPGCD now operates a groundwater monitoring program consisting of 433 observation wells, with 48 sites monitored daily using OTT HydroMet and SUTRON technology. Each monitored site provides insight into water‑level depth, temperature, sensor status, and seasonal decline and recovery patterns.

Data is updated every 24 hours and made publicly available through an interactive online map, giving farmers, landowners, and local authorities transparent access to groundwater conditions without waiting for annual reports. This improved data availability supports better planning decisions, including evaluating new well locations, understanding pumping impacts, and estimating future costs.

Value of Monitoring

Near real‑time groundwater data has significantly improved transparency and decision‑making across the district. The monitoring program supports a wide range of stakeholders, from agricultural producers to local government agencies, and directly contributes to the NPGCD’s mission of conservation, protection, and preservation of groundwater resources.

By making aquifer data easily accessible and comparable across regions, the system helps users understand both local conditions and broader groundwater trends, strengthening long‑term water resource management across the Northern Texas Panhandle.

Flood Warning in Bonn, Germany

Blog Team — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:07:07 GMT

Localized Flood Alerts | Kötz and Bad Homburg, Germany

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:59:54 GMT

Localized Flood Alerts for Municipal Resilience

Background

The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events have led many municipalities to reassess how they monitor and respond to flood risk. While national monitoring systems play a critical role, flood impacts are often highly localized, particularly in urban and semi‑urban environments. Municipal authorities are therefore seeking localized flood monitoring and alert systems that provide timely, actionable data at the community level.

Challenge

Communities across Germany have experienced increased flooding caused by intense rainfall, surface runoff, and overwhelmed sewer systems. In municipalities such as Kötz and Bad Homburg, flood risk is amplified by local geography, including river confluences and dense infrastructure. Limited staffing and resources made frequent on‑site inspections difficult, creating the need for reliable, remotely managed monitoring systems capable of issuing timely flood alerts.

Solution

In response, several municipalities partnered with OTT HydroMet to implement localized flood monitoring networks using cost‑effective, low‑maintenance sensor technology.

Municipality of Kötz, Bavaria

In early 2024, the municipality of Kötz installed three monitoring stations at flood‑prone locations near the Kötz creek and the Günz river. Two stations measure river water level using OTT ecoLog 1000 devices installed in stilling wells secured to the riverbank. The third station measures both rainfall and water level using a solar‑powered XLink 100 datalogger connected to an OTT Pluvio² L weighing rain gauge and an OTT PLS water‑level sensor.

All stations transmit data via cellular networks to a cloud‑based server. Municipal staff access and manage the system through Hydras 3 Net software, which is configured to issue alerts to emergency services when predefined thresholds are exceeded.

Bad Homburg, Friedrichsdorf and Wehrheim

To address shared flood risks, the municipalities of Bad Homburg, Friedrichsdorf and Wehrheim established an inter‑municipal early warning program. In 2024, five monitoring stations were installed, each equipped with an OTT netDL 500 datalogger and cellular modem. The stations measure precipitation and water level using OTT Pluvio² S weighing rain gauges and bridge‑mounted OTT RLS radar level sensors.

Weather parameters such as wind, temperature, pressure, humidity and precipitation type are measured at selected locations using all‑in‑one weather sensors. Data from all stations is transmitted wirelessly to the cloud and managed centrally via Hydras 3 Net software. Real‑time data visualization and alerts are also made available to citizens through web portals.

Results

The monitoring networks enable municipalities to receive reliable, real‑time flood and weather data and to issue automated alerts when flood risk increases. This improves response time and provides critical decision support for emergency services and municipal authorities.

In Kötz, the system successfully issued timely alerts during heavy rainfall events, allowing mitigation measures such as sandbag deployment, road closures and evacuations to be implemented. Different water‑level thresholds trigger different alarms, ensuring that responses are appropriate to the severity of the situation. Alerts are transmitted automatically via SMS to municipal authorities and local decision‑makers.

Beyond emergency response, the collected data supports long‑term infrastructure planning and climate‑resilience efforts.

Conclusion

These localized flood monitoring networks demonstrate how municipalities can strengthen flood resilience when large‑scale warning systems lack the resolution required for local decision‑making. By combining digital environmental monitoring, smart sensors and centralized data management, local authorities gain timely insights that protect residents, infrastructure and emergency responders.

Flood Intelligence in Mecklenburg County

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:37:15 GMT

Urban Flood Warning at Scale Mecklenburg County

Storm Water Services (CMSWS) is responsible for stormwater flood mitigation and climate-resilience operations across the Charlotte–Mecklenburg region in North Carolina. With more than 60 waterways flowing through highly urbanized, flood-prone basins, the county relies on accurate, real-time data to protect residents, critical infrastructure, and emergency responders.

Why is the county in need for a monitoring network?

Following severe flood events in 1995 and 1997 that caused more than USD 65 million in damage, CMSWS recognized the need to modernize its flood monitoring capabilities. At the time, data was fragmented across multiple sources, communication protocols varied, and there was no unified platform for alerting or visualization. As urban development continued to increase flood risk, the county required a scalable, integrated flood warning network capable of delivering real-time situational awareness and automated inundation modeling.

How did they address these challenges?

To address these challenges, CMSWS set out to deploy a cost-effective, high-density network of flood sensors across vulnerable waterways. The goal was to integrate water-level, rainfall, and USGS gage data into a single Flood Information Notification System (FINS) and Contrail platform, improving warning accuracy, response times, and real-time flood intelligence. CMSWS expanded its existing FINS by incorporating cost-effective OTT flood sensors and radar level sensors, alongside USGS stream gauges and county rain gauges. All data streams were unified within Contrail, providing centralized visualization, automated alarms, camera integration, and real-time inundation and flood-extent mapping.

Today, the county operates a single, countywide flood monitoring network with more than 130 real-time monitoring points. Automated inundation modeling executes within minutes, enabling faster post-event analysis and more informed decision-making during active flood events.

Network coverage

The system now covers approximately 65 percent of FEMA zones and 95 percent of high-risk buildings, significantly improving situational awareness for CMSWS and first responders. By centralizing reliable, real-time data across agencies, Mecklenburg County has reduced false alarms, accelerated emergency response, and enhanced public safety. The solution has become one of the most comprehensive urban flood monitoring networks in the United States and now serves as a scalable model for other municipalities seeking to strengthen flood resilience.

Flood Monitoring System in La Veta, Colorado

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:04:44 GMT

Challenge

After a wildfire in the nearby mountains increased the likelihood of water run‑off into the town of La Veta, Colorado, it became necessary to know when a flood event was approaching so citizens would have enough time to evacuate.

In 2018, the Spring Creek wildfire spread across 108,045 acres in Southern Colorado and became the third‑largest wildfire in Colorado history. Approximately 65,000 acres of the burned area became hydrophobic, meaning the soil rejected water rather than absorbing it.

La Veta lies only five miles downstream from this burned area. The terrain allows water to flow downhill rapidly, often building force and speed or forming walls of water. As a result, runoff intensity and flood risk increased dramatically.

Before the wildfire, La Veta was estimated to experience a major flood event once every 100 years. After the fire, this risk was recalculated to occur once every two years.

Given this risk, it became critical to know when flood events were approaching to provide enough time for safe evacuation. Mayor Doug Brgoch calculated that with the existing system, residents would have only 32–45 minutes to evacuate, while past experience showed it could take up to two hours to move people to safety.

“Just a few more minutes could save many lives. It became all the more important to see how we could gain just an extra five minutes.”

– Doug Brgoch, Mayor of La Veta

Collecting Flood Risk Data

As summer approached — the season that typically brings intense monsoons to Southern Colorado — Mayor Brgoch acted quickly. He partnered with the Colorado Division of Water Resources, which has more than 100 years of experience managing water resources and oversees more than 600 surface‑water monitoring sites across the state.

The objective was to establish a network of monitoring stations capable of identifying when tributary streams reached flood stage and to determine appropriate threshold levels that would trigger alerts.

Financing for the project was administered by the Huerfano County Water Conservancy District and funded through contributions from:

Huerfano County Water Conservancy District
Colorado Division of Water Resources
Colorado Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Huerfano County
Colorado Water Conservation Board

Solution

Seven monitoring stations equipped with SUTRON and OTT HydroMet technology were installed within a 13‑mile radius of La Veta to measure:

Precipitation
Water level
Water surface velocity

The stations were delivered as pre‑wired and pre‑mounted enclosures and installed in the field with minimal on‑site configuration.

Each station includes:

1 OTT Radar Level Sensor (RLS)
1 OTT Surface Velocity Radar (SVR 100)
1 Lufft WS100 Radar Precipitation Sensor / Smart Disdrometer
1 SUTRON XLink 500 data transmitter
1 solar panel housed in a NEMA‑4 enclosure

Data from six of the seven stations is compiled into a watershed matrix, allowing officials to evaluate how water from multiple tributaries interacts during rain events. Thresholds can be evaluated collectively — for example, a single station exceeding limits may not cause alarm, while simultaneous rises across several stations indicate serious flood risk.

Data Transmission and Monitoring

Initially, there was concern that data might not reach stakeholders quickly enough to be actionable. While traditional surface‑water systems rely on GOES satellite transmission with hourly updates, the team selected Iridium® satellite telemetry, allowing data updates every three minutes when water levels exceed thresholds.

This approach is particularly effective in the remote La Veta region, where cellular coverage is limited. Two‑way Iridium communication also enables remote adjustment of alarm thresholds as emergency managers refine their response strategies.

All stations are connected to Hydromet Cloud, a data‑management platform that provides:

Real‑time public visibility of station data
Customizable alarm thresholds
Two‑way remote system configuration
Mobile access for rapid field decisions

“The goal of this system is to provide timely information to emergency managers without placing them in harm’s way… It’s like having eyes in the field.”
— Matt Hardesty, Colorado Division of Water Resources

Results and Impact

Since installation, no full evacuation has been required. With each storm event, the system continues to improve as thresholds are refined and the town gains a better understanding of how much rainfall the watershed can handle before reaching emergency conditions.

For a small community like La Veta, remote monitoring has been critical. Staff no longer need to manually inspect field sites, allowing them to focus on response efforts when it matters most.

Mayor Brgoch emphasized the value of the system:

“These instruments are key because they give us that extra element of confidence when making important decisions.”

The town also highlighted the reliability, customization, and on‑site support provided by OTT HydroMet, particularly during installation and commissioning.

Technologies Used

OTT Radar Level Sensor (RLS) – non‑contact level monitoring
OTT Surface Velocity Radar (SVR 100) – non‑contact surface flow measurement
Lufft WS100 Smart Disdrometer – precipitation measurement
SUTRON XLink 500 – multi‑sensor data logging and telemetry (Iridium®)
SUTRON Solar Panels
SUTRON NEMA‑4 Enclosures

OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:08:06 GMT

Exploring Underground Water Paths with the OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave

Project Background

Research is currently being carried out in the Hessenhau Cave, located in southern Germany. With a depth of 144 metres (472 ft), it is the deepest known cave in the Swabian Alps. A permanent stream flows through the cave, hydrologically linking it to other cave systems in the region and making it a key site for karst and groundwater research.

Artificial access to the Hessenhau Cave was created in 2005, after strong airflow was detected — a clear indication of underground connections to other caves. Although speleologists have not yet found a physical connection to the nearby Blauhöhle cave system, tracer studies conducted in May 2012 provided clear evidence of a hydraulic connection between the two systems. It is suspected that the Hessenhau Cave extends up to 7 kilometres north, potentially reaching as far as Laichingen.

A unique characteristic of the cave is its pronounced air circulation, driven by temperature differences and atmospheric pressure fluctuations. Hessenhau is the only known cave in Germany exhibiting barometric pressure effects, making it of particular scientific interest.

The Challenge

Conducting discharge measurements deep underground is physically demanding and technically challenging. Accessing the lower sections of the cave requires long descents under difficult conditions, combined with moisture, low temperatures, and uneven terrain.

In this environment, measurement equipment must be lightweight, compact, and robust, while still delivering reliable and precise discharge data. Traditional instruments with moving parts are at higher risk of damage and are less suitable for such demanding conditions.

The Solution

To measure discharge at various locations within the cave, researchers used the OTT MF pro electromagnetic current meter. Despite the challenging access to the deepest parts of the cave, the lightweight yet rugged design of the MF pro proved ideal for underground use.

Discharge measurements were carried out using the classical multi‑point method, with flow velocity and immersion depth recorded automatically at several verticals. Once velocity measurements were completed, the MF pro calculated discharge directly in the handheld unit, fully compliant with international USGS and ISO standards.

After the fieldwork, the handheld was connected via USB to a PC or laptop, allowing easy data download and further analysis in the office.

Results and Benefits

The use of the OTT MF pro enabled reliable discharge measurements even under extreme cave conditions. Its advantages proved particularly valuable for speleological and hydrological research:

Compact, lightweight design for easy transport in confined spaces
No moving mechanical parts, reducing the risk of damage during transport and use
Robust, water‑protected handheld (IP67) with an easy‑to‑read colour display
Suitable for shallow waters and very low flow velocities, including measurements from 0 m/s
Automatic in‑field discharge calculation according to international standards

The successful use of the OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave demonstrates its suitability for challenging and unconventional measurement locations, supporting advanced research into underground water systems.

Collaboration

Video and images from the project were provided courtesy of ARGE Blaukarst, the working group formed by speleologists from southern Germany to coordinate excavation activities in the Hessenhau doline. Special thanks go to Mr Uwe Krüger (video) and Mr Andreas Schober (photos) for their support.

For current information on the excavation activities and research progress, visit: www.blauhoehle.de

(Source: Wikipedia – Blauhöhle)

Reservoir Aabach Germany

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:54:51 GMT

Project Overview

The Aabach Reservoir plays a vital role in regional infrastructure, supplying drinking water to more than 200,000 people and providing important flood‑protection functions. With a total water volume of approximately 20 million cubic metres, the reservoir is a critical asset that requires reliable, continuous monitoring.

To improve safety, efficiency, and operational visibility, a modern automated monitoring solution was implemented to replace manual inspections and streamline data handling.

Reservoir Data

Length: approx. 3 km
Width: max. 1.5 km
Total volume: approx. 20 million m³

Functions:

Drinking‑water supply for more than 200,000 people
Flood protection

The dam itself has a length of 450 m and includes:

A spillway
A bottom outlet
Multiple operational outlets at different heights for controlled water withdrawal

Challenge

In the past, daily on‑site inspections were required to collect measurement data. Personnel had to manually read out instruments and forward data for processing, resulting in:

High workload and operating costs
Delayed data availability
Limited ability to react quickly to critical conditions

The objective was to automate data collection and transmission, enable continuous monitoring, and improve operational safety.

Solution

A comprehensive monitoring system was installed using digital pressure probes OTT PLS, connected via the OTT‑SDI (RS‑485) bus system.

56 measurement points record the contact pressure within the dam structure
Three OTT netDL 1000 dataloggers collect data from separate dam segments
Data is transmitted via an Ethernet network (TCP/IP) directly to the water board’s data centre

The system continuously generates time series data and automatically triggers alarms when defined threshold values are exceeded, significantly improving safety and response time.

Benefits

The automated monitoring solution delivers:

Significant reduction in workload and operational costs
Continuous, reliable monitoring of dam conditions
Automated generation of time series data
Integrated alarm management for increased safety
Reduced installation effort thanks to the OTT‑SDI bus system
Reliable transmission of up to 10 measured channels per netDL 1000

Rosenheim – Discharge Measurement

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:26:53 GMT

January 2019

Discharge Measurement in Rosenheim

OTT SVR 100 installed under challenging conditions at the gauging station in Triftbach

Background

The gap between urban and rural areas is widening all the time – the number of inhabitants per city is continually increasing. On the one hand, demographic change with the ageing of many urban regions is contributing to this, but at the same time more and more young people are moving to the city.

Urbanisation, i.e. the multiplication and expansion of cities in terms of number, area or inhabitants, presents ever greater challenges for people and nature. The overexploitation of nature does not go unpunished and causes – in combination with climate change – sometimes severe catastrophes with great damage.

Floods and high water have been among the worst urban natural disasters in Europe in recent years. They were caused by short‑term heavy rainfall events or long‑lasting precipitation and thaw. Waters overflowing their banks can cause millions in damage to settlements and infrastructure. This damage potential is constantly growing as a result of the development of meadows and floodplains and the conversion of cellars into usable space. Climatic changes are also often the cause of extreme events.

The city of Rosenheim was hit particularly hard at the beginning of June 2013 after a cool and, above all, very rainy spring. At the River Mangfall near Rosenheim, extreme high‑water discharges with record water levels since 1899 were observed after several days of widespread precipitation.

Built‑up areas in Kolbermoor and Rosenheim were flooded due to overloaded older dikes. More than 1,000 people had to be evacuated. Flooding cannot be completely avoided as it is a natural event. However, preventive measures can reduce potential flood damage.

Such preventive measures include professional maintenance of water bodies and constant, reliable recording of measurement data. The modernisation of the discharge measurement station at Bad Aibling Triftbach near Rosenheim is one such measure.

Task

The measurement station at Bad Aibling Triftbach is part of the state measurement network operated by WWA Rosenheim on behalf of the Bavarian State Office for the Environment and has been in successful operation for some time. In 2018, the station was scheduled to be retrofitted with new equipment.

The measuring station serves flood protection, drought protection and general assessment purposes. The reason for installing the OTT SVR 100 was the backwater effect caused by the River Mangfall during flooding events. During such events, the existing rating curve delivers erroneous data.

Sensors using the ultrasonic Doppler principle are not suitable, as the station is located downstream of a power plant where high oxygen levels repeatedly occur.

The Triftbach measuring station is equipped with:

1 × OTT SVR 100 with accessories
1 × RLS 24 GHz with accessories

The following infrastructure is planned:

1 × netDL 1000 (existing)
1 × SE200 (existing)
1 × RLS for redundant water‑level measurement
1 × SVR for velocity measurement

Additional acquisition:

Software PRODIS 2

Monitoring Solution

At the Triftbach measurement station, the existing water‑level measurement is complemented by discharge measurement. Discharge is determined by measuring surface velocity using the OTT SVR 100 Surface Velocity Radar. In parallel, an OTT RLS radar level sensor determines water level via radar measurement.

Both sensors transmit measurement data to the OTT netDL 1000 datalogger, which computes discharge using the two measured variables. Discharge is stored as a separate channel and is available like a measured sensor value.

Using PRODIS software, the flow calculation can be calibrated by comparative measurements at different water levels and discharges. Until such measurements are available, standard calibration models can be used.

The monitoring solution has a modular structure. Existing water‑level sensors and dataloggers can continue to be used and can be cost‑effectively supplemented with flow‑velocity measurement.

Non‑contact radar measurement of water level and velocity is particularly advantageous during flooding and in waters with high biological activity or high sediment loads. Since the sensors are not submerged, they are not clogged and require minimal maintenance. During floods, sensors are protected from damage caused by floating debris as they are mounted outside the water body.

In contrast to acoustic Doppler sensors, this solution operates reliably in very turbid water, with high sediment loads or high oxygen content and air bubbles, conditions that frequently occur during heavy rainfall and flood events.

Summary

The new OTT SVR 100 sensor enables safe and reliable discharge measurement even under challenging conditions. This allows gauging stations to function as discharge measurement stations where flow measurement was previously impossible or only achievable with great effort.

Thanks to uncomplicated integration into existing systems, existing gauging stations can be easily retrofitted. The OTT SVR 100 is therefore an important addition to the discharge‑measurement product portfolio and will contribute significantly to water monitoring and flood protection, especially in small and medium‑sized water bodies.

Product Highlights

OTT SVR 100

Continuous, contact‑free velocity measurement
Integrated vibration and tilt sensors identify data influenced by external movement
Automatic detection of flow direction
Filters minimise interference from wind, precipitation, vibration and waves

OTT Prodis 2

Clear, chronological management of site, system and calibration data
Computes velocity‑index ratings using theoretical models or field measurements
Step‑by‑step user guidance
Multiple data import interfaces
Comprehensive calibration reports

Bedford Flood Gate Control

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:56:04 GMT

Automated Flood Gate Monitoring on the River Great Ouse, Bedford

Bedford Borough Council is responsible for the management and operation of two flood gates on the River Great Ouse in the centre of Bedford. As part of a local flood‑defence strategy, the reliable and continuous operation of these gates is critical to protecting key infrastructure and property within the town centre.

The River Great Ouse is the longest of several rivers in the United Kingdom bearing the name “Ouse”. Rising near Syresham in central England, it flows approximately 143 miles (230 km) north and east through East Anglia before entering The Wash, a bay of the North Sea. Due to its length and catchment, effective water‑level management along the river is essential for flood risk reduction.

Following a successful tender process, OTT Hydrometry was commissioned to design and install a monitoring and control solution capable of automatically triggering the opening and closing of the existing flood gates at predefined river levels. In addition to flood‑gate control, the system provides continuous transmission of water level and gate status data to the HydroMet Cloud online platform.

An OTT Pressure Level Sensor (PLS) was installed inside an observation well to deliver accurate and reliable water‑level measurements. The PLS is connected to a Ott netDL 1000 datalogger, housed within a robust GRP telemetry cabinet, which also interfaces directly with the flood‑gate actuator motors.

To ensure full operational visibility, HydroMet Cloud was deployed as the online monitoring platform. This enables remote access to real‑time water‑level data and gate status information, as well as automated email alerts notifying the client of critical events, such as gate opening or closing actions. Together, the system provides a robust, reliable solution that supports effective flood‑defence management for Bedford town centre.

Monitoring ditch water quality in the Netherlands

Blog Team — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 13:44:09 GMT

Monitoring Ditch Water Quality with OTT ecoN, Hydrolab HL4 and XLink 500

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands is using OTT ecoN nitrate sensors and Hydrolab HL4 multiparameter sondes, connected to an OTT XLink 500 datalogger, to monitor the temporal variation of nutrients in ditch water. All measurement data is transmitted to the HydroMet Cloud platform for storage and analysis.

Project Objective

The goal of the WaterSNIP project is to improve the efficiency of water‑quality monitoring through the use of in‑situ sensors and to enable monitoring at a smaller spatial scale, transitioning from regional to local assessments.

Within the Minerals Policy Monitoring Programme (LMM), RIVM traditionally samples ditch water seven times per year. These samples are analysed in the laboratory across a wide range of parameters, with total nitrogen (Total‑N) and total phosphorus (Total‑P) being particularly important for compliance with Water Framework Directive (WFD) standards.

By measuring at a much higher frequency, RIVM aims to calculate more accurate average nutrient concentrations and improve understanding of nutrient leaching from farmland into ditches, as well as the chemical and biological processes driving these dynamics.

Measurement Strategy

Real‑time measurement of Total‑N and Total‑P is generally only possible using expensive and power‑intensive analysers. Within this project, the OTT ecoN provides continuous measurements of nitrate (NO₃) as a key nutrient indicator.

The Hydrolab HL4 multiparameter sonde measures:

Water temperature
Electrical conductivity
pH
Dissolved oxygen
Turbidity

RIVM is investigating the relationship between these parameters and nutrient concentrations determined from laboratory analyses and ecoN measurements. The objective is to evaluate whether HL4 parameters can serve as proxy indicators for Total‑N and Total‑P.

Both the ecoN and HL4 record measurements at 15‑minute intervals.

Data Transmission and Power Supply

Measurement data from the sensors is collected by the OTT XLink 500 datalogger and transmitted to the HydroMet Cloud web server for remote access and analysis.

The complete monitoring system is powered by a 20 Wp solar panel. The XLink 500 features an internal solar charge regulator, which charges the integrated 7 Ah battery, ensuring reliable long‑term operation in the field.

Case Studies - Ott

Aquifer Monitoring Around Northern Texas Panhandle

Background

Challenge

Solution

Results

Value of Monitoring

Flood Warning in Bonn, Germany

Localized Flood Alerts | Kötz and Bad Homburg, Germany

Localized Flood Alerts for Municipal Resilience

Background

Challenge

Solution

Municipality of Kötz, Bavaria

Bad Homburg, Friedrichsdorf and Wehrheim

Results

Conclusion

Flood Intelligence in Mecklenburg County

Urban Flood Warning at Scale Mecklenburg County

Why is the county in need for a monitoring network?

How did they address these challenges?

Network coverage

Flood Monitoring System in La Veta, Colorado

Challenge

Collecting Flood Risk Data

Solution

Data Transmission and Monitoring

Results and Impact

Technologies Used

OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave

Exploring Underground Water Paths with the OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave

Project Background

The Challenge

The Solution

Results and Benefits

Collaboration

Reservoir Aabach Germany

Project Overview

Reservoir Data

Challenge

Solution

Benefits

Rosenheim – Discharge Measurement

Discharge Measurement in Rosenheim

Background

Task

Monitoring Solution

Summary

Product Highlights

Bedford Flood Gate Control

Automated Flood Gate Monitoring on the River Great Ouse, Bedford

Monitoring ditch water quality in the Netherlands

Monitoring Ditch Water Quality with OTT ecoN, Hydrolab HL4 and XLink 500

Project Objective

Measurement Strategy

Data Transmission and Power Supply

OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave

Exploring Underground Water Paths with the OTT MF pro in the Hessenhau Cave