Brazil – Hydrometeorological Data Collection Network Design

The semi–arid state of Ceará on Brazil’s northeastern coast is one of the driest areas in the country. The level of precipitation also varies greatly from year–to–year, and by location, making overall water resources management extremely difficult. Ceará needed instrumentation to measure its water resources to improve its water resources planning and management.

Working for the state of Ceará’s Fundacao Cearense de Meteorologia (FUNCEME), Riverside Technology, inc. (RTi) developed a hydrometeorologic data collection network for the state. RTi designed the data collection network, the data transmission and receiving system, and the hardware and software specifications for the stations. RTi also developed the network’s installation and maintenance plan, the bench calibration system, the management plan for network implementation, and numerous training programs. The data collection network of 144 stations not only supplemented existing hydrometeorological data, but also provided a central data collection platform and database, directly contributing to improved water management analysis and decision–making.

RTi located the data collection stations throughout Ceará, based on the importance of data at different sites, proximity to other existing stations, and representativeness. RTi then assessed the hardware for accuracy, reliability, and cost of alternatives, and developed specifications and recommendations for sensors and datalogging equipment based on equipment available at the time.

FUNCEME also requested RTi to conduct a comparative analysis of communication technologies for data transmission in the network. RTi analyzed VHF radio (RF), cellular telephone, landline telephone, and available satellite communication, and prepared a cost analysis and recommendations and specifications for RF and satellite communications.

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