Telemetry Research Unit

Telemetered water monitoring produces real-time data for timely, targeted management actions:

Water conditions are automatically measured at the site
Measurements are automatically transmitted to a data system
Data are in a standard format to enhance usability

California's Water Resilience Portfolio (2020) and Water Supply Strategy (2022) affirmed telemetry is a crucial tool to generate timely, accurate water resource data. In 2022, the California State Water Resources Control Board received funding to create a modern geospatial data system capable of receiving water telemetry data (UPWARD Project). The Telemetry Research Unit (TRU) was also created to build institutional knowledge of best practices, costs, and equipment for telemetered water monitoring and to make recommendations about monitoring and reporting processes.

Outreach and Engagement

February 2025 Public Meeting

State Water Board staff from the Telemetry Research Unit will hold a meeting on the upcoming Telemetry Study in the Russian River watershed. The meeting will be online-only on Wednesday February 12, 2025 from 12:00—1:30 p.m. PST.

Water Board staff are conducting the Russian River Telemetry Study, part of the Telemetry Pilot Project, to research how telemetry can streamline data collection and analysis. The goal of the project is to reduce the burden on water reporters and improve the usability and availability of water data. Staff and contractors plan to install telemetered water monitoring equipment at about 100 volunteer sites, assess the cost and effectiveness of the monitoring, and evaluate data accuracy. Learn more about the project by visiting waterboards.ca.gov/telemetry/pilot-project.html or emailing telemetry@waterboards.ca.gov with questions or comments.

During the meeting, staff will provide an overview of the project, discuss volunteer opportunities, receive comments, and respond to questions.

Ways to participate

To provide comments or ask questions, register to attend the recorded Zoom meeting.
View the watch-only live broadcast at CalEPA's public webcasts.
Watch the recording later on the project website.

Language Services

This meeting will be offered in English. To request interpretation services in another language (including sign language services), please use one of the following options:

Submit an online request: bit.ly/LanguageAccessForm
Call (916) 341-5254
Email languageservices@waterboards.ca.gov

Accessibility

Users of a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) may contact the California Relay Service at (800) 735-2929 or the teletype (TTY) voice line at (800) 735-2922.

Any person who requires reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting should email contact@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5254, by January 21, 2025. Learn more about accessibility within Zoom at www.zoom.com/en/accessibility.