Specifications

A Remote Automated Water Quality Stream Gauging System Design 7
7
The standard mount is comprised of three components, a forward facing mount for the
velocity sensor, a rearward facing mount for the turbidity sensor and sample hose, and the
mount for the depth transducer.
A bolt-on housing for a shurflo 9300 submersible pump is shown in Figure 5.
2.2.6. Rain gauge stand
The rain gauge is generally mounted on a stand that is located away from the platform in an
open area free from obstructions. The stand is constructed from a 1.8 m length of 32 mm
nominal bore (NB) galvanised pipe and 50 mm x 6 mm galvanised flat bar. The flat bar is
welded into a ‘T-piece’ which is then welded onto the top of the pole. The whole structure is
then hot dip galvanised. The plate has holes predrilled to allow the attachment to the base of
the rain gauge. M8 x 60 mm 316 grade stainless steel bolts with levelling nuts are used to
level and secure the rain gauge in place.
3. INSTALLATION
3.1. In-stream
The in-stream sensor mount described above is designed to clamp around a pier fixed to the
bed of the watercourse. Although every site has unique characteristics, there are two primary
methods for the emplacement of this pier. This is largely dependant on the substrate material
present at the installation site. Designs for both installations are shown in Appendix 2 –
Design plans.
3.1.1. Soft substrate
Many river and creek beds in the Burdekin catchment have deep sandy deposits. A double-
pier system is used for this type of bed material. This method uses a second shorter pier
located upstream of the main mounting pier, a clamp on brace assembly is used to provide
support to the mounting pier. The connecting braces also deflect debris from building up
around the instrument cluster.
After selecting the location for the in-stream instrument cluster a small excavator or backhoe
is used to excavate the footing for the piers. The footing size is determined by the size of the
channel and expected loads on the cluster. For small channels (up to 15 m in width) a footing
measuring approximately 1.5 m long, by 0.8 m wide and 1.5 m deep has been reliable.
Lengths of steel pipe or reinforcing are inserted as far a practicable into the bottom and sides
of the excavated hole to provide additional anchoring.
The footing is filled with enough concrete to allow the two piers to be positioned. To ensure
the piers maintain their orientation they are braced using light gauge angle iron welded on
both sides below the finished concrete level. The short pier is positioned approximately 0.7 m
upstream of the main pier. The footing is then filled with concrete to the bed surface and
levelled.
The components of the sensor mount can be attached to the main pier when the concrete
has cured. A second set of clamps are used for bracing between the Starflow mount and the
shorter pier.