Drifting buoy for autonomous measurement of river environment

The real-time remote measurement of riverine conditions including depth, temperature, and current speed as a function of position will provide valuable information to support river modeling and monitoring of a river's change conditions. QinetiQ North America (QNA), formerly Planning Systems Incorporated, has designed and tested a Riverine Drifter to collect and provide river parameters without extensive personnel involvement as the drifter flows with the river current. This paper will discuss the capabilities and preliminary test results.