Internet Distribution of Virtual Rain Gauge Data for Use in Flow Monitoring

Calibrated radar rainfall systems are becoming more popular due to the advantages they offer over conventional precipitation monitoring networks. Some benefits of a radar-calibrated system being operated by a non-profit company include a fully synchronized monitoring system with a spatial resolution of one square kilometer, quality controlled rain gauge measurement and 99.9% fault free measurements. These benefits are offered to Allegheny County communities at a cost savings of 460,590 over traditional methods offering the same coverage. The process creates what has been coined as a “virtual rain gauge” because the system associates a rainfall measurement similar to that of a rain gauge for every square kilometer in the Allegheny County Sanitary Authority service area.The 3 Rivers Wet Weather Demonstration Program has made virtual rain gauges available to the public by integrating the calibrated rainfall system with the Internet. Precipitation monitoring, once done by sending out public works personnel or an engineering firm, can now be done from any computer terminal at no cost to the communities.