| USING THE WORLD-WIDE-WEB AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM TO ENHANCE WATER MANAGEMENT | ||
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Critical components of an integrated Web/automation system include: (1) a comprehensive real-time environmental monitoring system (including real-time images), (2) a low-cost automation system, (3) Web displays that provide accurate real-time visualizations of conditions, (4) enhanced and alternative methods of real-time database access, and (5) decision-support software. We have made significant progress with components (1) and (2), and have a good start on (3), (4), and (5). Results to date show that better and timelier information leads to better decision-making, and with automatic remote-control on key water control structures, required actions can be quickly taken. Thus the bridge between the physical and the "virtual" river basin helps meet the growing need for a constant and precise matching of water supply and demand.
In the 1990's, several Utah water user groups began programs to closely monitor their irrigation canals and rivers. This was accomplished by adding dataloggers and radio telemetry equipment to existing flow monitoring sites, water quality monitoring sites, and weather stations. These diverse smaller projects eventually started to coalesce into something approaching basinwide monitoring systems (see Table 1 and Figure 1.) These monitoring systems proved useful for improving water management, particularly for river commissioners and the larger canal companies.
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| Computers/Communication Systems | Low-Cost Automatic Remote-Control |