Slide 1
Soil Moisture and Soil Temperature Observations and Applications Operated by the
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Garry L. Schaefer, WCM Branch Leader, NWCCDeborah S. Harms, Soil Scientist, NSSC
March 3-5, 2009Oak Ridge, TN
Slide 2
Soil Moisture Monitoring
• SCAN– Soil Climate Analysis Network– Monitors lower elevation areas for climate
parameters and soil moisture monitoring nationwide
• SNOTEL– SNOw pack TELmetry– Monitors high elevation areas for snow
water content, climate parameters, and soil moisture in the Western United States
Slide 3Drought Vulnerable Soil Landscapes
Slide 4
SCAN
• SCAN – Started as a Soil Moisture/Soil Temperature Pilot
Project between the National Water and Climate Center and the National Soil Survey Center in 1991 with 21 stations in 19 states
– If funding becomes available, full implementation of SCAN would have at least 1,000 new stations and integrate 1,000 existing partner-based stations
• Goal will be to have new stations located on Benchmark soil series
– Utilizes meteor burst, line-of-sight, or GOES satellite communication technology to transmit remote station data
Slide 5
SCAN• Currently the network has
151 stations in 39 States• Provides hourly data with
– Precipitation– Air temperature– Relative humidity– Solar radiation– Wind speed and direction– Barometric pressure– Soil moisture and soil
temperature• 2, 4, 8, 20, and 40
inches
Slide 6
Other SCAN Data Parameters
• Snow water content• Snow depth• Net radiation• Redox• Additional soil moisture and soil
temperature measurements• Water level• Surface temperature• Water quality parameters
Slide 7
Slide 8
Soil Moisture/ PrecipitationUAPB Point Remove, AR
Soil Moisture vs. PrecipitationPRELIMINARY DATA SUBJECT TO CHANGE
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Hourly Readings
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Hourly Precipitation 2" Soil Moisture 4" Soil Moisture 8" Soil Moisture 20" Soil Moisture 40" Soil Moisture
Slide 9
SCAN Data• All SCAN stations have full soil
characterizations complete and available on the web
• All historic and real-time SCAN data are available on the web– http:www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/scan
• Special Reports– Special “Spreadsheet” compatible reports
can be created
Slide 10
SCAN Future
FY 2009 33 new SCAN stations will be added.– 16 Utah– 4 New Mexico– 10 Alabama– 1 Idaho– 1 Nevada– 1 California
• NRCS is looking at purchase of CONUS Meteor Burst Master Stations for full U.S. Coverage
• NRCS is looking how to fund SCAN• Collaborating on development of spatial soil moisture
modeling
Slide 11
SCAN Cooperators• Current partners include:
– U.S.D.A.- Agricultural Research Service– Mississippi State University and Extension Service– Alabama A&M University– University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff – University of Missouri– Iowa State University– High Plains Regional Climate Center– U.S.D.A.- World Agricultural Outlook Board– U.S.D.A.- Forest Service – U.S.D.A.-Natural Resources Conservation Service– The Nature Conservancy– Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation– University of Alaska– SE Regional Climate Center– Others
Slide 12
SNOTEL Network• Large Automated Climate Network
– Began in 1978– Over 754 remote stations– Generally in high elevation areas– Located in the 12 Western States and
Alaska– Utilizes meteor burst communication
technology to transmit data
Slide 13
SNOTEL Network• Large Automated
Climate Network– Began in 1978– 765 remote stations– Generally in high
elevation areas– Located in the 12
Western States including Alaska
– Utilizes meteor burst communication technology to transmit data
Slide 14
SNOTEL Parameters• Typical Sensor Array
– Snow water content– All season precipitation– Air temperature (maximum,
minimum, and average)– Snow depth– Soil moisture and soil temperature at
35% of network
Slide 15
SNOTEL Parameters
• Additional Sensors at Enhanced SNOTEL Stations– Solar radiation– Relative humidity– Wind speed and direction – Other sensors based upon customer
requests
Slide 16
Typical SNOTEL Station
Slide 17
Siting Criteria
• All stations should be located on federal, state, county, or university lands. This will ensure long-term use of the land for monitoring purposes.
• All stations should be located in non-irrigated areas.• First consideration be given to “Benchmark” soils.• Consideration must be given to ensure that all Major Land
Resource Area’s are represented in a given climatic region.• The station must represent an agricultural area. Pasture,
range, timber, and cropped areas must be considered first.• When selecting a suitable location, some consideration of
station security must be included. • The first stations to be installed should be located in areas
that are susceptible to drought.
Slide 18
Soil Moisture/Soil Temperature Measurement
• NRCS uses a capacitance type of sensor.
• Steven Water “Hydro Probe” SDI-12 is currently used
• Installed at specific depths• Full soil description and
characterization analysis are done at each location
• Description and characterization data available to users from the Web
Slide 19
Soil Description
Slide 20
Sensor Placement and Layout
• The deepest sensor is installed first
• 40 inch installed vertically
• Hole is kept to a small size to minimize water transport
Slide 21
Sensor Placement and Layout
• Sensors are placed horizontally at all other depths
• Sensors are dispersed around the small hole to minimize interference
• Compact the soil as each sensor is installed making sure the sensor is inserted completely into undisturbed soil
Slide 22
Sensor Placement and Layout
• Sensor wires are moved to opposite side of hole and form a drip-loop
• Flex-conduit is used to protect sensor wires
Slide 23
Data Uses for SCAN and SNOTEL
• Climate monitoring • Water supply forecasting • Drought assessment and mitigation• Drought triggers • Precision agriculture• Soil survey interruption and mapping • Crop production forecasts• Range production and condition• Disease and Pest prediction/mitigation• Provide data for NWS and other agencies for flood forecasting
and reservoir management• Climate change assessment• Water quality monitoring• Air quality monitoring• Underground utility lines
Slide 24
Summary• SCAN and SNOTEL have a high benefit/cost
ratio• Provide a minimum of daily up to hourly data• Expandable to meet demands• Designed to be a cooperative program• Requires maintenance to ensure data quality• Diverse utility of the data• Data are easily retrievable from the web page
at http://www/wcc.nrcs.usda.gov• Developing better tools to provide user with
spatial soil moisture modeling– Agreement with Oregon State University and
Alabama A&M University to develop a spatial soil moisture model which integrates point soil moisture data with soils data to produce a soil moisture map
Slide 25
Contacts• Garry L. Schaefer, NRCS
Water & Climate Monitoring Branch Leader1201 NE Lloyd Blvd., Suite 802Portland, OR 97232Phone: 503-414-3068 Fax: 503-414-3101Email: [email protected]
• Deborah S. Harms, NRCSSoil ScientistFederal Building100 Centennial Mall NorthLincoln, NE 68508Phone: 402-437-5324Email: [email protected]
