Developing Data-Rich Video of Surface Water-Groundwater Interactions for Public Engagement

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Hydrology
• Geophysics

Background:

• Effective communication of hydrologic data is crucial for public engagement and scientific understanding.
• Connecting scientific data to specific locations enhances its interpretability and impact.
• Existing methods may lack the spatial and temporal resolution needed for detailed habitat assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present an inexpensive, fast, and reliable method for collecting dense spatial and temporal water-quality and geophysical data.
• To integrate simultaneous video recording with data collection for enhanced scientific and public engagement.
• To improve the understanding of groundwater-surface water interactions and habitat health.

Main Methods:

• Mounting multiple sensors (temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen) and video cameras on a canoe for controlled survey floats.
• Georeferencing and logging data streams using an Arduino microcontroller for detailed spatial variability.
• Utilizing commercially available software for user-friendly data display.

Main Results:

• Low-cost sensors demonstrated reliable performance when compared to laboratory data and alternative sensors.
• The method successfully collected spatially and temporally dense datasets in Wisconsin streams and lakes.
• Simultaneously collected video provided valuable context, linking water properties to the visual appearance of aquatic habitats.

Conclusions:

• The developed method offers an inexpensive, fast, and reliable approach for fine-scale understanding of stream and lake habitat health.
• Integrating data with video significantly enhances communication among stakeholders and aids in managing sensitive habitats.
• This technique improves the understanding of complex hydrogeologic systems and groundwater-surface water interactions.