The Eastern Alps District strengthens monitoring

Over the past five years, CAE has implemented several real-time hydro-meteorological monitoring networks on behalf of the Eastern Alps District Basin Authority (DAO), specifically on river catchment areas: Piave, Brenta-Bacchiglione, Tagliamento, etc. for a total of 37 hydro-meteorological field stations and 2 control centres. The remote monitoring network in the Adige basin is currently being implemented, and consists of: 30 automatic hydro-meteorological stations and 3 flood warning systems for road subways. The networks built by CAE are able to interface with the forecasting computer platform that will allow the DAO to create and manage the Citizens' Observatory on each river basin. In addition, at these basins, CAE carried out the topographical surveys and flow measurements required to construct rating curves and real-time flow monitoring systems.

Recently, the DAO launched a new tender for the creation of a monitoring system for remote sensing of hydrogeological and hydraulic variables, complete with instrument-based section surveys. The tender was awarded to CAE. The contract includes network maintenance and staff training services.

The overall order includes:

1. installation and maintenance of new remote control stations:

   a. 4 rainfall stations;
   b. 2 stations with cameras;
   c. 2 hydrometric stations with a hydrometer and hydrometric rod with QR Code panel;
   d. installation and maintenance of 4 hydrometric rods with QR Code panels;

2. installation of 1 QR Code panel at an existing hydrometric station;
3. integration of sensors in 6 existing DAO stations and the related extension of the maintenance period;
4. maintenance of 10 existing DAO stations;
5. maintenance of additional 18 hydrometric rods already installed.

The latest technologies available on the market will be used for this network to ensure maximum compatibility and integration with the installed system, including at the control centre.

The following will be used:

- CompactPlus data loggers: characterised by quality, power and reliability, while maintaining low power consumption, making them the ideal instruments for demanding applications in multi-risk systems. They feature powerful hardware managed by an embedded Linux operating system, which provides ample flexibility;

- PG2 and PG2/R rain gauges to measure rainfall accumulation and intensity;

- THS thermo-hygrometers to measure temperature and relative humidity of the air;

- WLR/L radar hydrometers with a measuring range of up to 30 m for measuring the watercourse levels;

- ultrasonic anemometer to measure wind speed and direction;

- PTZ high-speed cameras for clear, sharp wide-angle views and excellent detail in difficult lighting conditions.

As with the other projects, panels with QR codes will be set up to involve citizens in the observatory and take hydrometric readings or simply report on what they physically find at the site.

The brand new Datalife Platform will be installed at the existing control centre to complement the existing one and upgrade it to the latest and most innovative version available. It will be an evolution that encompasses all the functionality already available at the existing control centre, while introducing several new features.