|
Installing a new CIMIS weather station (January, 2003)
|
|
|
In the October 2002 issue of Update, we presented brief guidelines for selecting a CIMIS weather station in a given area. The installation of a new CIMIS station was also presented as one of the options for mitigating the existing data limitations. In the current issue, we expand on this option by presenting the responsibilities of the different parties involved.
|
|
|
A CIMIS weather station costs approximately $5,000.00. At present, DWR does not provide any funding for purchase of the station equipment. However, other local, state, and federal agencies might provide the necessary funding. For information on alternative funding sources, you may contact a CIMIS representative from the list provided below. Any interested person/group, referred to as a cooperator hereafter, is responsible for securing the funding and purchasing the equipment.
|
|
|
In addition to the equipment, the cooperator is also required to provide a station site that fulfills the weather station siting criteria required by CIMIS. Detailed information on the CIMIS station siting criteria can be obtained from the CIMIS web site. The landowner can be the cooperator or someone else who has agreed to provide the land.
|
|
|
The cooperator and/or the landowner will:
|
|
-
Supply the weather station equipment.
-
Build a fence around the station for security, if needed.
-
Supply telephone service to the station.
-
Carry out monthly maintenance visits, year round.
-
Maintain the pasture/ turf inside and outside the fenced enclosure in a healthy growing condition year round.
-
Install or modify the irrigation system to prevent irrigation water from hitting the weather station.
-
Allow state personnel access to the site during normal work hours.
|
|
|
The responsibilities of DWR include:
|
|
-
Approving the siting of the prospective station.
-
Assigning an appropriate name and number to the prospective station and administering the agreement between the parties involved.
-
Installing and activating the weather station.
-
Training cooperator/ landowner personnel responsible for monthly maintenance.
-
Assisting cooperator in the troubleshooting of weather station problems.
-
Providing quality assurance measures, including the calibration and regular servicing of the station sensors.
-
Capturing the weather data for processing, troubleshooting, and posting into the CIMIS database.
-
Processing the data through the quality control program and calculating and posting estimated ETo values.
|
|
|
|
|
