Distributed data acquisition system for runoff monitoring and automated water sampler control

A distributed data acquisition system (DDAS) was implemented to monitor stage and provide automated water sampler control for eight runoff plots. The DDAS was composed of a host-computer communicating (RS-485 serial protocol) with multiple remote-sensor-to-computer-interface (RSCI) modules via a single twisted-pair communication line. Control and data storage routines were written in C++. Retrieved data are time-stamped and stored in a single ASCII file. The DDAS was capable of monitoring multiple weather parameter inputs and flume stage from eight runoff plots, while providing flow-weighted automated water sampler control. System reliability was good, but was detrimentally affected by electrical storms and nearby lightning strikes.