title: Telemetric system for hydrology and water quality monitoring in watersheds of northern New Mexico, USA.
abstract: This study utilized telemetric systems to sample microbes and pathogens in forest, burned forest, rangeland, and urban watersheds to assess surface water quality in northern New Mexico. Four sites included remote mountainous watersheds, prairie rangelands, and a small urban area. The telemetric system was linked to dataloggers with automated event monitoring equipment to monitor discharge, turbidity, electrical conductivity, water temperature, and rainfall during base flow and storm events. Site data stored in dataloggers was uploaded to one of three types of telemetry: 1) radio in rangeland and urban settings; 2) a conventional phone/modem system with a modem positioned at the urban/forest interface; and 3) a satellite system used in a remote mountainous burned forest watershed. The major variables affecting selection of each system were site access, distance, technology, and cost. The systems were compared based on operation and cost. Utilization of telecommunications systems in this varied geographic area facilitated the gathering of hydrologic and water quality data on a timely basis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Natural Sciences, New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico 87701, USA. mlmeyer@nmhu.edu
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Meyer
authors.forename: Greg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Huey
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000382:microbiology*; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D005843:Geography; D003629:Modems; D009516:New Mexico; D017215:Satellite Communications / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D014197:Trees; D014481:United States