Stream Data Loggers and DIY Instructions for Protective Housings and Deployment

The following is a brief presentation on the application of data loggers for stream water quality monitoring as currently used in the Iron Furnace Trout Unlimited water quality monitoring network in southern Allegheny National Forest.

Shown are two types of data loggers for monitoring specific conductance & temperature, custom built protective housings for the loggers, and how to generally deploy loggers in streams.

Visit our web site for additional info: www.ironfurnacetu.net

Solinst Data Logger

Conductivity Range: 0 – 80,000 µS/cmAccuracy: 2% accuracy @ 500 – 80,000 µS/cmAccuracy: highly variable < 500 µS/cm

Also records temperature and pressure (level)

Hobo Data Logger

Conductivity Range (low setting): 0 – 1,000 µS/cmAccuracy: 2% 0 – 1,000 µS/cm

Also records temperature & has full conductivity range @0 – 10,000 µS/cm

Logger Housing Parts and Assembly

Stainless Eye-Hook

Cap Adapter Adapter Cap1 ½ “ PVC

PVC PipeCement

PVC PipeCleaner

Zip Tie

Assembled Logger Housing

Watercirculation holes

Painted Housing(neutral color)

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List

Installation Materials/Equipment

Concrete Form Stake

Ferrule Clamp Tool

1/8” Ferrules1/8” Cable

Logger Ready for Deployment~ 3’ of 1/8” Cable

Single 1/8” ferrule

for cable stop

1/8” Double ferrule to form loop

Predrilled concrete form stake

Zip tie secures logger in housing

Logg

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Logg

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Brid

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Logger Housing after 60 Days

Deploying LoggersPlace in stream locations that have:• Reasonable, safe access (distance from roads,

avoid base of steep slopes etc.);• Water depth to maintain submersion of logger

during periods of low flow in late summer/fall;• Locations with good water flow/mixing but not

overly turbulent - riffles and runs are generally preferred;

• Substrate that a stake can be drive into (avoid bedrock areas);

• Shaded locations to avoid solar heating of housing;

• Locate loggers away from human traffic to avoid disturbance or vandalism;

Deploying LoggersOther Considerations:• Remember that loggers may need to be removed

when stream temperatures are very low during winter months when water depth and flows may be considerably higher and therefore dangerous;

• Strategically place flagging tape at your sites to allow you to find loggers and GPS logger locations;

• Download data directly in the field to a laptop or use a manufacturers remote data retrieval device;

• Sites with poor water quality require more frequent maintenance and visits as units foul more frequently;

• Use loggers with conductivity ranges appropriate (i.e., sensitivity and accuracy) to your streams.

Logger Data Quality• To insure data integrity for these or other data

loggers follow manufactures instructions for calibration of loggers;

• Solinst recommends calibration every 6 months, more frequently if water quality is very poor;

• Hobo loggers require conductivity readings to be taken with a calibrated instrument at time of deployment and when units are removed to correct data;

• IFTU has Solinst loggers calibrated at a certified lab to insure data quality;

• IFTU uses a certified lab calibration standard for correction of Hobo logger data to insure data quality .

For additional information contact:

Bruce Dickson, PhDWater Quality Monitoring CoordinatorIron Furnace Trout Unlimited

bcdickson95@gmail.com

Phone: 814-227-9126