MCCCD Program Description

Hydrologic Instrumentation

Course: WRT120

First Term: 2018 Fall

Lec + Lab 4 Credit(s) 6 Period(s) 6 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T Lab Load

Description: Overview of operating hydrologic data gathering equipment used in surface water, groundwater and water quality sampling networks. Continuous monitoring records, electronics, data collection problems, and methods of installation of instruments. Safety stressed.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the use and purpose of surface water monitoring equipment including precipitation recorders and water stage gages. (I) 2. Describe the use and purpose of streamflow measuring equipment including weirs, flumes, and current meters. (I) 3. List specific types of well-drilling equipment. (II) 4. Describe well-drilling including cable tool method and hydraulic rotary drilling. (II) 5. List specific equipment for monitoring groundwater levels. (II) 6. Describe the use of metal/electrical tapes and piezometers in monitoring groundwater levels. (II) 7. Define intrusive flow measurements for the use of measuring well discharge. (II) 8. Describe the use of ultrasonic flow meters in measuring well discharge. (II) 9. Demonstrate specific safety procedures necessary for using electrical and mechanical devices. (II) 10. Describe techniques for reducing contamination potential under field conditions. (II) 11. Demonstrate safety procedures for field conditions. (II) 12. List specific sampling equipment to determine water quality. (III) 13. Use the peristaltic pump and depth integrating sampler in sampling water. (III) 14. Demonstrate the calibration of conductivity meters. (III) 15. Demonstrate the use of pH meters and DO meters for determining water quality. (III) 16. Define basic electronics principles (IV) 17. Demonstrate the use and maintenance of meters and measurements (IV) 18. Demonstrate wiring and soldering techniques (V) 19. Describe basic circuit components and usage (VI) 20. Troubleshooting common problems (VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Surface Water A. Runoff monitoring equipment 1. Precipitation recorders 2. Water stage recorders/gages B. Streamflow measuring equipment 1. Weirs and flumes 2. Current meters 3. Dams II. Groundwater A. Well-drilling equipment 1. Cable tool method 2. Hydraulic rotary drilling 3. Earth augers B. Water level monitoring equipment 1. Metal tapes 2. Electric tapes 3. Water level recorders 4. Piezometer C. Well discharge measurement equipment 1. Intrusive flow measurements 2. Ultrasonic flow meters 3. Bucket/stopwatch D. Safety procedures 1. Electrical sources of power 2. Mechanical devices 3. Contamination potential 4. Field conditions III. Water Quality A. Sampling equipment 1. Thief sampler 2. Pumps 3. Peristaltic pump 4. Bailer 5. Churn splitter B. Field equipment/calibration 1. Conductivity meter 2. Potential of Hydrogen (pH) meter 3. Dissolved Oxygen (DO) meter 4. Thermometer 5. Containers IV. Basic Electronic Principles A. Principles 1. Voltage 2. Current 3. Resistance 4. Ohm`s Law 5. Power 6. Kirchoff`s Law 7. Parallel and Series Circuits 8. Equivalent Circuits B. Meters and Measurements 1. Meter Types 2. Voltage Measurements 3. Current Measurements 4. Resistance Measurement 5. Cabling for Measurements V. Wiring and Soldering Techniques A. Wire and Connections 1. Wire Types 2. Resistance and Current Capacities 3. Connectors and Splices 4. Stripping and Crimping 5. Useful Tools 6. Battery Connector Cable 7. Current Measuring Cable 8. Checking Connections B. Soldering and Desoldering 1. Solder Description 2. Solder Purposes 3. Soldering Irons, Tips, etc. 4. Basic Soldering Techniques 5. Tinning Wire Ends 6. Splicing Wires 7. Soldering Crimp Terminals 8. Soldering Wires to Circular Connectors 9. Checking Solder Joints 10. Desoldering Techniques 11. Multimeter-to-Method Cable 12. Pin Jack-to-Alligator Clip Cable VI. Basic circuit components and usage A. Batteries B. General Battery Information C. Battery Charging Information D. Fuses E. Diodes F. Capacitors G. Resistors H. Switches I. Relays J. Transformers VII. Troubleshooting A. Circuit components 1. Open Circuits 2. Short Circuits 3. Checking Current Drains 4. Checking Continuity 5. Checking Fuses 6. Checking Diodes 7. Common Troubleshooting Techniques 8. Troubleshooting Rules B. Data Collection Platform (DCP) Systems 1. Goestationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) Satellite Data System 2. General Radio Frequency (RF) Theory and Explanation 3. General RF Troubleshooting 4. Using RF Wattmeters 5. Checking and/or building RF Antenna Cables 6. Making Forced Scans of Sensors 7. Communicating with Sensors 8. General DCP Programming Hints a. Avoiding Measurement/Scan Interval Problems b. Avoiding GOES Timing, Etc., Problems 9. Testing GOES Transmissions a. Current Drain and Loaded Battery Voltage b. Forward and Reflected RF Power c. Raw Data Interpretation

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 11/23/2010

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.