Maintaining Sensors in the Field

PhD student Debjit Roy checked the current sensor and downloaded data. The current sensor is used to monitor the drainage and irrigation flow. 

Measuring the Snow Depth in the Field

A sonic ranging sensor (SR50A-L, Campbell Scientific Inc.) was installed to measure the accumulated snow depth in the field. It was used to monitor the water level in the ditch for subsurface drainage and water quality related research last year. 

A camera (BirdCam WSCA02, WINGSCAPES) was also set up nearby to monitor the field conditions on a daily basis.

Setting Up the Observation Wells for Measuring the Water Level in the Field

The HOBO Water Level Logger is applied to measure the water level in the field. Each water level logger is installed in a observation well. As shown in the picture, the tube of observation well above ground is buried before tilling (planting) or harvesting and raised again after planting or tilling (harvesting). A JUNO handheld GPS device and a metal detector are used to locate the buried observation wells.

Installation of Snow Gauge for the Snowfall Measurement

A TR-525USW Rain Gauge (Texas Electronics, Ins.) with a CS705 Precipitation Adapter ( Campbell Scientific, Inc.) has been installed near the Eddy Covariance system in north Moorhead field. It uses the Campbell Scientific CS705 Antifreeze to measure the melted snowfall in winter. 

Soil Infiltration Test

Debjit Roy, a PhD student in Dr. Xinhua Jia's research group conducted a series of soil infiltration testing. 

Soil Sampling Above the Drain Tile

Jim Moos dug a trench above the drain tile.

Dr. xinhua Jia collected 10 soil samples above each drain tile.

Dr. Xinhua Jia and her ABEN 484/684 class, Drainage and Wetland Engineering, visited the SARE project site on Saturday, October 4, 2014.

Gerry Zimmerman, far right, explained his subdrainage control structures to the students.