Increased scale and accessibility of sediment transport research in rivers through practical, open-source turbidity and depth sensors

Abstract

Abstract Open-source designs for turbidity and depth sensors are becoming increasingly capable and available, but the knowledge required to construct them limits their use compared to expensive, commercial sensors. Here, we present an open-source optical backscatter and water pressure sensor that can be ordered almost fully assembled, requires no coding to deploy, and costs approximately $50 USD. We share three examples of these sensors’ ability to facilitate new research. First, we observed complex changes in spatial and temporal patterns of suspended sediment transport in the Arctic Sagavanirktok River using a network of sensors. Second, we measured turbidity during the freeze-up period in the Tanana River, a period of high risk to sensors. Last, we built and deployed sensors with middle-school students to monitor turbidity under full ice cover on the Tanana River. The success of open-source sensors in these examples shows a marked increase in scale and accessibility of river science.