Summit monitoring system

Summit monitoring system

Integrated Ridge and Headwater Catchment Observation Network

The summit monitoring system is designed to continuously monitor processes that form on the crest and are then transmitted to the entire underlying catchment area.

It should record not only weather conditions, but also the territory’s reaction to them:

distribution of precipitation;

transport of rain and snow by wind;

soil moisture and freezing;

beginning of surface runoff;

overflow of micro-catchments;

ground movement;

erosion;

vegetation condition;

windfall;

fire hazard;

road conditions;

operability of emergency water routes;

changes in springs and upper streams.

The main principle:

What is monitored is not a single sensor or a single phenomenon, but the entire chain: atmosphere → surface → soil → slope → watercourse → lower basin.

1. Main tasks of the system

Monitoring should solve five groups of problems.

1.1. Observation

Continuously measure the condition of the atmosphere, soil, vegetation, snow, water and slopes.

1.2. Early warning

Identify a dangerous combination of factors before a destructive event occurs.

For example:

heavy rain;

saturated soil;

strong wind;

filled upper bowls;

blocked emergency overflow.

1.3. Management

Transfer data to operators and automated systems for:

road closures;

cessation of water extraction;

activation of observations;

opening of safe spillways;

launching cameras and drones;

warnings to downstream settlements.

1.4. Verification of design solutions

Determine if they really work:

anti-erosion elements;

terraces;

plant strips;

snow retention;

mist eliminators;

road drainage systems;

fire breaks;

emergency water routes.

1.5. Long-term analysis

Generate data to assess changes over years and decades:

climate;

vegetation;

snow reserve;

water loss;

erosion;

springs;

fire mode;

sustainability of the restored landscape.

2. System architecture

The system is built on a multi-level principle.

Level A. Point sensors

Measure parameters at a specific point:

temperature;

humidity;

precipitation;

wind;

soil moisture;

water level;

ground movement.

Level B. Local stations

They combine several sensors from one area.

Station:

collects data;

checks them;

temporarily stores;

transmits to the central node;

generates local alarms.

Level C. Apex node

Combines data from the ridge, slopes, saddles and upper troughs.

Level D. Catchment Center

Links the top level to:

streams;

springs;

by roads;

terraces;

floodplain;

lower settlements.

Level E. DREVO Mountain Digital Twin

The digital twin receives all data, compares it with the model, and predicts how the situation will develop.

3. Spatial placement of stations

One weather station at the summit is not enough.

The minimum network should cover different aerodynamic and hydrological positions.

3.1. Main ridge line

Measured:

maximum wind gusts;

direction;

sediment transfer;

snow blowing;

icing;

lightning activity.

3.2. Windward slope

Controlled by:

actual amount of oblique precipitation;

wind erosion;

vegetation condition;

soil moisture;

rain impact load.

3.3 Leeward slope

Controlled by:

turbulence;

snow drifts;

fog;

local accumulation of water;

windfall.

3.4. Saddle

This is a priority monitoring point due to:

wind acceleration;

water transfer;

snow accumulation;

road concentrations;

fire transition between pools.

3.5. Upper ravine

Here are measured:

water level;

filling speed;

turbidity;

home goods;

sediment movement;

slope stability.

3.6. Upper plateau

Controlled by:

temporary accumulation of water;

saturation depth;

the state of swamps and wet meadows;

position of the groundwater level.

3.7. Road intersections

Observed:

pipes;

ditches;

overflows;

tracks;

embankment subsidence;

clogging;

snow drifts.

4. Meteorological block

4.1. Air temperature

Measured at several heights above the surface.

Necessary for:

snow and rain forecast;

freezing assessments;

evaporation calculation;

determination of dew point;

fire hazard;

temperature inversion analysis.

4.2. Relative humidity

Used for:

fog forecast;

fuel drying assessment;

dew point calculation;

evaporation estimates;

fire risk control.

4.3. Atmospheric pressure

Helps you track:

passing of fronts;

thunderstorm changes;

barometric trends;

status of altitude sensors.

4.4 Solar radiation

Measured:

total shortwave radiation;

reflected radiation;

if necessary - long-wave balance.

Used to evaluate:

snowmelt;

drying of the soil;

evaporation;

vegetation conditions;

risk of overheating of sensors.

5. Wind control

5.1. Basic parameters

Measured:

average speed;

maximum gust;

direction;

frequency of direction changes;

vertical component;

turbulence.

5.2. Measurement heights

It is desirable to have:

low sensor near the surface;

standard meteorological level;

elevated sensor above vegetation.

This allows us to evaluate the extent to which the wind-resistant architecture actually reduces the load at the ground.

5.3 Recording frequency

Hourly averages are not sufficient.

Registration is required for squalls:

second or short measurements;

three-second gusts;

the maximum for an interval;

a sharp change of direction.

5.4. Control of wind corridors

Individual sensors are located:

in saddles;

between rock outcrops;

at the edge of the forest;

near roads;

behind the protective strips.

6. Precipitation

6.1 Liquid precipitation

The automatic rain gauge must record:

the beginning of rain;

total amount;

intensity;

duration;

maximum short interval.

The values ​​for: are especially important:

5 minutes;

10 minutes;

15 minutes;

30 minutes;

1 hour;

3 hours;

6 hours;

24 hours.

6.2. Wind correction

At the summit, a standard rain gauge may underestimate precipitation due to strong winds.

Therefore the following are applied:

protective screens;

several rain gauges;

comparison of windward and leeward points;

wind speed adjustment;

radar data.

6.3. Slanting rain

To assess the horizontal component the following can be used:

inclined collectors;

vertical panels;

wetting sensors;

cameras;

comparison of exposures.

6.4. City

Controlled by:

the fact of loss;

particle size;

duration;

accumulation;

damage to vegetation;

drainage blockage.

7. Snow block

The system measures:

snow depth;

density;

water equivalent;

temperature of the snow layer;

liquid water inside the snow;

ice crusts;

sedimentation rate;

the beginning of melting.

7.1. Placement of snow measurement points

Points are needed:

on a blown ridge;

on the windward slope;

in the leeward pocket;

near bushes;

in a forest island;

in a saddle;

in the upper hollow.

7.2. Control of cornices

Used:

cameras;

laser measuring instruments;

photogrammetry;

radar;

periodic drone overflights.

7.3. Rain on snow

Anxiety is formed when:

significant SWE;

positive temperature;

rain;

strong warm wind;

frozen or saturated soil.

8. Fog, dew and icing

8.1. Fog

Measured:

visibility;

duration;

direction of wet flow;

droplet size;

fog collection volume;

temperature and humidity.

8.2. Dew

To assess dew the following are used:

wetting sensors;

surface temperature;

dew point;

weight-bearing condensation panels.

8.3. Frost and icing

Controlled by:

ice mass;

rate of increase;

load on structures;

condition of anemometers;

solar panel performance;

risk of ice falling.

9. Soil block

9.1 Soil moisture

Measured at several depths, for example:

surface layer;

root zone;

lower soil horizon;

zone above the impermeable layer.

A single humidity value does not indicate a saturation profile.

9.2 Soil temperature

Necessary to determine:

freezing;

defrosting;

the beginning of biological activity;

infiltration conditions;

fire exposure.

9.3. Pore pressure

Piezometers are installed on potentially unstable slopes.

They show an increase in water pressure in the ground, which may precede a landslide.

9.4. Electrical conductivity

Allows you to identify:

change in mineralization;

the ingress of road salts;

unusual underground tributaries;

pollution.

9.5. Infiltration capacity

Periodically checked by field tests.

This is necessary because continuous moisture sensors do not directly indicate the rate at which the soil is taking up water.

10. Surface runoff

10.1 Microstock

The following are installed at the control sites:

small measuring trays;

collectors;

level sensors;

cameras.

They show when surface water movement begins.

10.2. Upper troughs

Controlled by:

level;

consumption;

ascent speed;

turbidity;

electrical conductivity;

temperature;

acoustic noise.

10.3. Overcrowding of microstructures

The following are installed on critical terraces and bowls:

level sensors;

simple overflow marks;

cameras;

vibration sensors.

11. Sediment control

It is necessary to measure not only water, but also material transfer.

Indicators:

turbidity;

suspended solids;

height of accumulated sludge;

gravel movement;

the appearance of large stones;

wood remains.

For dangerous hollows the following are used:

acoustic sensors;

geophones;

cameras;

radar or laser level meters;

shock sensors.

A sharp increase in vibration and noise may indicate the beginning of a mudflow.

12. Geotechnical monitoring

12.1 Surface movement

Used:

GNSS benchmarks;

inclinometers;

extensometers;

optical brands;

satellite interferometry;

Repeated LiDAR survey.

12.2. Cracks

Controlled by:

width;

opening speed;

depth;

humidity;

the emergence of new lines.

12.3. Inclination of trees and supports

Tilt sensors allow you to detect:

ground movement;

weakening of roots;

wind damage;

inclination of masts.

12.4. Vibrations

Geophones can record:

it is not possible;

slide;

mudflows;

destruction of structures;

movement of heavy equipment.

13. Erosion monitoring

Used:

control pins;

constant cross-sections;

photo points;

measuring gullies;

sediment traps;

drone photogrammetry;

LiDAR.

Controlled by:

depth of gullies;

edge retreat;

loss of soil;

accumulation behind stone lines;

road damage;

formation of new channels.

14. Vegetation monitoring

14.1. Key indicators

general coverage;

proportion of bare soil;

grass height;

biomass;

humidity;

condition of shrubs;

distance between crowns;

dry organic matter;

invasive species;

windfall;

fire damage.

14.2. Methods

permanent test sites;

photo monitoring;

multispectral cameras;

thermal imaging;

WOOD Plant ID;

drones;

satellite indices.

14.3. Root stability control

Conducted indirectly through:

soil moisture;

tilt of trees;

crown condition;

cracks;

ground movement;

wind loads.

15. Fire monitoring

The system controls:

temperature;

air humidity;

fuel moisture;

duration of the dry period;

wind speed;

lightning discharges;

smoke;

thermal anomalies;

state of fire breaks;

water supply.

15.1. Cameras

Conventional and thermal imaging cameras are used with an overview:

comb;

slopes;

roads;

forest islands;

power transmission lines.

15.2 Lightning data

After dry thunderstorms, a list of points for checking is automatically generated.

15.3. Thermal sensors

Located near:

peat areas;

timber warehouses;

power equipment;

fire tanks;

tourist areas.

16. Control of roads and paths

The following are controlled in critical areas:

water accumulation;

rut depth;

condition of ditches;

clogged pipes;

embankment subsidence;

cracks;

snow drifts;

falling trees;

icing.

For a pipe or bridge it is useful to have:

level sensor above;

sensor below;

entrance chamber;

exit chamber;

clogging sensor;

surface emergency overflow.

The difference between the levels above and below may indicate the beginning of a blockage.

17. Control of springs

Even if the source is located below the summit, its values ​​are included in the upper catchment system.

Measured:

consumption;

temperature;

turbidity;

electrical conductivity;

level;

delayed response to precipitation;

microbiological quality according to schedule.

The spring becomes a natural indicator of how the underground part of the summit works.

18. Monitoring emergency water routes

For each critical emergency route the following are monitored:

free section;

plant and tree blockages;

sediments;

bottom condition;

lateral erosion;

work of overflows;

communication with the lower level.

Before the rainy season, a mandatory inspection of the entire continuous route is carried out, and not just the top point.

19. Video surveillance

Cameras should not be used as a replacement for sensors, but as a means of confirmation.

Main functions:

visual inspection of precipitation;

snow control;

smoke detection;

monitoring for rivers;

road control;

windfall fixation;

false alarm checking.

Requirements:

heating or protection of the lens;

cleaning;

night mode;

autonomous power supply;

local recording;

stable fastening;

lightning protection.

20. Drones

Drones are used for:

planned flights;

post-storm surveys;

fire search;

snow mapping;

erosion assessments;

checking hard-to-reach overflows;

landslide inspection;

thermal imaging analysis.

Limitations:

strong wind;

icing;

fog;

storm;

low temperature;

lack of communication;

flight restrictions.

Therefore, a drone should not be the only way to obtain critical data.

21. Satellite monitoring

Used to evaluate:

vegetation cover;

humidity;

snow area;

fires;

burnt areas;

large landslides;

long-term changes.

Satellite data complements, but does not replace, the terrestrial network due to:

cloudiness;

limited detail;

shooting interval;

inability to see small processes.

22. Power supply

The system must remain operational in bad weather.

Possible sources:

solar panels;

small wind turbines - only after turbulence assessment;

battery;

fuel cells;

cable power;

backup batteries.

Requirements:

autonomy during bad weather;

protection from cold;

overheating protection;

lightning protection;

charge control;

energy saving mode.

Critical sensors should have more redundancy than auxiliary cameras.

23. Communication

A multi-level system is used:

local wired communication;

low power radio network;

cellular communication;

radio relay channel;

satellite communications for key nodes.

Data must be routed in multiple ways.

In case of loss of external communication, the station is obliged to:

continue recording;

generate local alarms;

save data;

transmit the accumulated information after the channel is restored.

24. Edge Computing

Some of the processing is done directly at the station.

The local controller can:

filter out errors;

calculate rain intensity;

detect a sharp rise in level;

compare humidity at different depths;

determine pipe blockage;

activate frequent recording;

trigger a local siren;

transmit only alarm data.

This reduces dependence on the cloud and external communications.

25. Measurement frequency

The frequency depends on the process.

The system automatically switches to accelerated mode when the thresholds are exceeded.

26. Data quality control

The sensor may give an error due to:

icing;

pollution;

battery discharge;

cable damage;

mast tilt;

flooding;

calibration drift;

insects;

vegetation.

Therefore, the following are performed:

automatic range check;

comparison of adjacent sensors;

rate of change control;

reservation;

regular calibration;

visual confirmation;

service log.

A single anomalous indicator should not automatically trigger a critical decision without verification unless there is an immediate threat.

27. Reservation

Critical measurements are duplicated.

It is especially important to reserve:

rain intensity;

wind speed;

upper bowl level;

emergency overflow condition;

connection;

nutrition;

fire detection.

Redundant sensors should not be placed so close together that a single falling tree or lightning strike would disable both.

28. Threshold values

Thresholds are not set universally, but for a specific area.

They may depend on:

rain intensity;

accumulated amount;

soil moisture;

rate of water rise;

pore pressure;

slope movement speed;

wind gust;

fuel temperature and humidity;

filled with snow;

road conditions.

The most reliable are combined thresholds.

Example:

landslide hazard = saturated soil + increase in pore pressure + movement of the benchmark

And not just "a certain amount of rain fell."

29. Anxiety levels

Green level

The parameters are within the normal range.

Yellow level

A trend has been discovered:

increase in humidity;

increasing wind;

snow accumulation;

increased fire hazard.

Orange level

Several factors are approaching critical levels.

Actions:

student record;

checking cameras;

operator training;

access restriction.

Red level

High probability of a dangerous event or its beginning.

Actions:

route closures;

lower zone warning;

evacuation measures;

ban on field work.

Black level

Actual failure or catastrophic process:

mudflow;

major landslide;

fire;

destruction of the road;

storage device breakthrough;

loss of several communication systems.

30. Automatic actions

Depending on the risk, the system can automatically:

turn on the siren;

close the barrier;

switch sensors to fast mode;

launch a backup communication channel;

turn on the cameras;

send a warning;

stop the pump;

stop water extraction;

turn on the emergency area lighting;

Activate the fire sprinkler near the critical facility.

Automatic control of spillways requires special care. Inadvertent opening can create a dangerous flow downstream.

31. Operator center

The interface should show not a long list of sensors, but the state of the territory.

Main screens:

watershed map;

current weather;

rain intensities;

soil moisture;

slope conditions;

level of troughs;

snow;

fire risk;

roads;

springs;

emergency routes.

For each alarm the system displays:

place;

time;

reason;

confirmation sensors;

expected development;

recommended action;

responsible operator.

32. DREVO Mountain Digital Twin

The digital twin combines:

digital elevation model;

watersheds;

geological;

soils;

vegetation;

roads;

riverbed;

structures;

sensors;

historical events;

weather forecast.

It performs:

interpolation between sensors;

runoff calculation;

concentration time forecast;

snow melting simulation;

wind analysis;

erosion forecast;

fire simulation;

cascading failure assessment.

33. Digital station passport

Each station receives a passport:

unique identifier;

coordinates;

height;

appointment;

list of sensors;

range;

accuracy;

installation date;

calibration date;

power supply type;

communication channel;

mounting diagram;

failure history;

service log;

photographs;

responsible operator.

34. Maintenance

Monthly or as needed

visual control;

power supply check;

cleaning of chambers;

connection check;

control of fastenings.

Before the rainy season

calibration of rain gauges;

cleaning of level gauges;

checking emergency routes;

alarm testing.

Before winter

checking snow sensors;

protection against icing;

battery control;

checking the masts.

Before the fire season

thermal imager testing;

fire tanks;

connections;

lightning sensors;

camera.

After an extreme event

inspection of all affected stations;

offset check;

recalibration;

data loss analysis.

35. Equipment stability

The equipment must withstand:

storm wind;

slanting rain;

city;

snow load;

icing;

lightning;

temperature changes;

ultraviolet;

dust;

fire thermal impact;

animal attack;

vandalism.

Masts must not create a new risk:

falls on the road;

channel blockages;

lightning attraction near tourists;

formation of snow drifts.

36. Cybersecurity

For control systems the following are required:

authentication;

encryption;

access control;

action logging;

backup copies;

offline safe mode;

protection against false commands;

physical protection of controllers.

Critical security functions should not depend solely on a remote cloud service.

37. Operation in case of failure

The system should continue basic operation when:

loss of internet;

power outage;

damage to some of the sensors;

cloud failure;

fall of the mast;

fire;

road blocking.

The minimum safe mode includes:

local recording;

local alarms;

backup power supply;

manual level scales;

physical indicators;

passive emergency overflows.

38. Field inspection tours

Automatic sensors do not replace field inspections.

The operator checks:

traces of actual runoff;

new gullies;

clogging;

damage to vegetation;

soil condition;

the smell of water;

cracks;

road conditions;

work of overflows.

Sometimes the most important feature cannot be determined remotely.

39. Base observation period

Before major interventions, it is advisable to obtain a baseline data set.

The minimum should cover:

wet season;

dry season;

snow period, if present;

period of fogs;

fire season.

One year only provides an initial picture. Long-term observations are needed for a reliable understanding.

40. System performance indicators

A system is considered effective if it:

detects dangerous tendencies before they are destroyed;

preserves data during an extreme event;

gives few false alarms;

shows the state of the entire territory;

allows roads to be closed in advance;

confirms the effectiveness of recovery measures;

records changes in springs;

helps to refine models;

operates with partial failure;

has clear responsibility for maintenance.

41. What not to do

It is forbidden:

set up one station and consider the entire ridge measured;

place all sensors only in convenient locations;

use valley wind as an indicator of the summit;

evaluate rainfall only by the daily total;

rely only on cameras;

rely solely on satellites or drones;

use one communication channel;

store data only in the cloud;

install sensors without maintenance;

set universal thresholds for all slopes;

automatically open the spillway without checking the lower path;

collect data without predetermined actions;

consider monitoring as a replacement for engineering protective structures.

42. Sequence of implementation

Stage 1. Risk analysis

The main processes and critical points are identified.

Stage 2. Basic mapping

Relief, catchments, roads, vegetation, geology and riverbeds.

Stage 3. Minimum network

Weather station, precipitation, wind, soil, upper trough and communication.

Stage 4. Geotechnical expansion

Piezometers, benchmarks and motion sensors.

Stage 5. Snow and fog block

For the corresponding climatic zones.

Stage 6. Fire Block

Chambers, fuel moisture, lightning and fire tanks.

Stage 7. Integration of roads and springs

Control of water passages, slopes, flow and quality of water.

Stage 8. Digital Twin

Combining data into a single model.

Step 9. Setting up alarms

Based on actual observations.

Stage 10. Adaptive development

New sensors are installed only where an information gap is detected.

The final principle

The summit monitoring system should show not just the weather, but the actual state of the upper catchment area.

It unites:

atmosphere;

wind;

precipitation;

snow;

fog;

soil;

groundwater;

vegetation;

fire;

roads;

springs;

erosion;

slide;

emergency water routes.

Properly designed monitoring doesn't attempt to predict every event with absolute precision. It detects dangerous combinations of processes early enough to allow the area, equipment, and people to transition to a safe mode.