Precipitation monitoring in the Sierra Nevada - Spain
The OTT Pluvio² precipitation measuring station “Tajos de Breca” is situated in 2470 m above sea level at the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada. The station forms part of a measuring network named “Project Guadalfeo” which is financed by the Andalusian government and the responsible water authority.
OTT Pluvio² L
Medidor universal de precipitaciones por el sistema de pesaje
El OTT Pluvio² L es un pluviómetro universal por pesaje. Funciona según el principio de pesaje y registra la cantidad e intensidad de las precipitaciones líquidas, sólidas y mixtas.
- Cantidad acumulativa, intensidad, contenido del recipiente en tiempo real y no tiempo real
- Principio de balancín
- Pluviómetro universal, prácticamente sin necesidad de mantenimiento ni elementos móviles, cumple con todos los requisitos de la Directiva n.º 8 de la OMM
- SDI-12 / RS-485, impulso
The measuring station “Tajos de Breca” is situated in 2470 m above sea level at the southern slope of the Sierra Nevada; the area belongs to a nature reserve. The station forms part of a measuring network named “Project Guadalfeo” which is financed by the Andalusian government and the responsible water authority. Furthermore the project is supported by the research groups “Natural Water Dynamics” of the universitiy in Granada and “Hydrology and Hydraulics in Agriculture” of the university in Córdoba.
The data delivered from “Tajos de Breca” is controlled by the Andalusion Environmental Center (CEAMA). Hydrological data and data about the dynamics of the sediment in the river Guadalfeo are being collected and analysed since 2004. However, so far there was no systematic meteorological data from the high mountain region available. Therefore, a measuring station had to be installed there to provide reliable precipitation data, precipitation at such altitudes being mainly snow.
The measuring task was: systematic data monitoring in high mountains
- Collection of information relevant to the protection of Sierra Nevada’s southern slopes
- Collection of precise information about hydrology and dynamics of sediment in the river Guadalfeo
- Installation of a precipitation measurement station which provides reliable data even when it is mainly snowing
The autarkic meteorological station “Tajos de Breca” was perfectly integrated into the existing measuring network of the Guadalfeo project.
“Tajos de Breca” is equipped with high-class meteorological sensors, data memory, data transmission via modem and solar power.
The old precipitation measurement system which was replaced by OTT Pluvio2 had been a balancing system which could not provide the required accuracy of data.
By means of comprehensive algorithms and calculation models, the OTT Pluvio2 is capable of monitoring precipitation quantity and intensity regardless of whether precipitation comes as rain or snow. Parameters like temperature and wind influences are filtered out.
Maintenance for the OTT Pluvio2 is remarkably simple, just visual inspections and one instrument check per year. The container must be emptied at a filling level of 80%, the filling level being a value which is transmitted with the measurement data to a control center.
The data of “Tajos de Breca” was used to develop calculation models for snowmelt / spring runoff (Herrero, 2007, www.ugr.es)