Telemetry Pilot Project

The Telemetry Research Unit (TRU) is conducting the Telemetry Pilot Project. The Project is a research initiative by the California State Water Board to explore and refine water monitoring practices using telemetered devices. The Project plans to gain knowledge from community members and evaluate real-world conditions for telemetered water monitoring. The Project is for research only and has no enforcement or regulatory components.

Project Goals:

1. Evaluate the cost and effectiveness of monitoring and transmission equipment.
2. Refine the technical tools that the Division of Water Rights uses to assess water diversions and flows.
3. Test logistics of connecting data streams from diverse equipment to a data system.
4. Advise the Water Board on simplifying reporting, supporting monitoring efforts, and potential regulation updates.

Two Project topics are currently in process:

• The California Water Data Consortium is acting as a contractor and conducting the Telemetered Water Monitoring Project. This component involves research and outreach to understand best practices and make recommendations for field studies and statewide applications for water telemetry.
• The State Water Board's Telemetry Research Unit is conducting the Russian River Telemetry Study from 2025 to 2027 to test telemetered water monitoring in a real-world setting. This field study involves telemetered water monitoring in the Russian River watershed to understand costs, logistics, and data governance. Other field studies are planned after completion of the Russian River Telemetry Study.

The success of the Project depends on participation of members and organizations from the local community. We are looking for volunteers to provide land, equipment, or data access for the Russian River Telemetry Study.

If you are interested in learning more about the Project, including potentially being a volunteer or technical advisor, please email: telemetry@waterboards.ca.gov.