Lab and Field Infrastructure

SonTek acoustic Doppler flow meters are advanced instruments used to continuously measure stream and open-channel flow by estimating water velocity from Doppler-shifted acoustic signals and combining it with water level and channel geometry. These sensors provide high-resolution data on discharge, flow velocity, water level, flow direction, water temperature, and diagnostic quality metrics. SonTek flow meters are deployed at both the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) and DeLuca Preserve to continuously monitor and record flow discharge and velocity data under varying hydrologic conditions.

Weather Station network monitors key atmospheric parameters such as temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind, and solar radiation. It is integrated with a data logger that enables automatic data recording and supports remote access for real-time monitoring. This network is installed at the experimental field at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) to continuously collect site-specific meteorological data.

A Lysimeter is a field-based instrument used to measure water movement through soil and quantify drainage and solute leaching under natural conditions. It collects percolated water from the soil profile, enabling analysis of parameters such as water flux and nutrient losses (e.g., nitrate). A network of lysimeters is establisehd at Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) to monitor subsurface drainage and assess water and nutrient transport dynamics.

Zentra-ZL6 Data Logger connects to multiple sensors (TEROS series and EC-5) to record high-resolution measurements of soil, weather, and hydrologic conditions. The logger operates autonomously using batteries and transmits data to the ZENTRA Cloud for real-time access and monitoring. A network of data loggers is installed in the field at Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) as the central unit for collecting and managing environmental data.

Groundwater monitoring wells equipped with rugged troll sensors provide high-resolution time-series data with continuous measurement of groundwater level (water depth/ pressure) and temperature. This monitoring system enables detailed analysis of groundwater dynamics, seasonal variability, and responses to climatic and hydrologic conditions. At both study sites, Range Cattle Reseach and Education Center (RCREC) and DeLuca Preserve, a network of five and three groundwater monitoring wells, respectively, are established to observe changes in groundwater levels over time and to assess temporal trends and fluctuations.

Aqua Troll Sonde is a multi-parameter instrument that measures key water quality parameters such as water level, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity, and turbidity, providing high-resolution, real-time data. The sonde is designed for long-term deployment in surface water environments and supports reliable monitoring under varying field conditions. This instrument is set-up in the field at the Range Cattle Research and Education Center (RCREC) to continuously monitor water quality conditions.

VuLink Data Logger enables the automated data logging and wireless transmission when connected to groundwater level sensors. This data logger allows real-time access to groundwater level data without the need for frequent site visits. This logger also supports continuous, high-resolution monitoring of groundwater fluctuations and trends over time, improving data accessibility and operational efficiency under field conditions. The logger is installed at DeLuca Preserve to enable remote monitoring of groundwater levels.

The TEROS 12 soil moisture sensor is high-accuracy sensor designed to measure volumetric water content (soil moisture), temperature, and electrical conductivity in soil. It uses capacitance based technology to determine moisture level by asssessing soil's dielectric properties. This sensors offer a comprehensive understanding of soil moisture dynamics with a real-time data. This sensor is installed at Range Cattle Reserach and Education Center (RCREC) to continuously monitor soil water status under field conditions.

TEROS 54 is a precision multi-depth soil moisture profile probe designed to measure soil water potential and soil temperature. It uses capacitance based technology to estimate soil moisture by analyzing soil's dielectric properties. This sensor is built for high accuracy and stability, which makes it suitable for long-term environmental monitoring and agricuultural research applications.

Onset EC5-soil moisture sensor measures volumetric water content (soil moisture) in soil. It uses capacitance technology and measures the dielectric constant of soil to determine its volumetric water content. The sensor provides real-time soil moisture data, making it suitable for environmental monitoring and agricultural research applications.

This multiparameter meter is used to measure pH, electrical conductivity and temperature in water and soil samples. This meter is fast and user-friendly and well suited for wide range of applications, including advanced pH and electrical conductivity analysis in laboratory settings. This meter is housed in the Hydrology Laboratory and support the wet-chemistry analyses for ongoing research projects.

AQ300 Discrete Analyzer is an automated laboratory based instrument designed for analyzing water nutrient and chemical analysis of environmental samples such as water, wastewater, and soil. It uses robotic sampling and spectrophotometry to provide accurate, reproducible measurements of nutrients like nitrate, ammonia, and phosphate. This instrument is housed in Hydrology Laboratory and used for analyzing the surface and groundwater samples collected from different wells installed around the center.