Low-Cost sensors for measuring wadi discharge - a Raspberry Pi based seismometer and time-lapse camera setup

Abstract

This study presents a low-cost, multi-sensor monitoring setup for wadi discharge assessment. The system comprises a time-lapse camera gauge and a Raspberry Shake seismograph, both powered by solar energy and integrated with data transmission units for remote monitoring. Optical data, combined with a high-resolution digital terrain model generated via UAV-based photogrammetry, enables semi-automatic discharge estimation. Seismic data complement the optical workflow by capturing flow-induced vibrations, providing a second line of evidence for wadi discharge. Our systems operated successfully, recording several flow events, highlighting the feasibility of low-cost, remote monitoring in ephemeral wadi environments. Key challenges included limited camera accuracy and the need for frequent DTM updates due to morphological changes. Improvements, such as upgrading camera hardware and enhancing automation in data processing, are underway to increase system accuracy and reliability for operational use.