Hydrometeorology
The lab is currently monitoring a network of temperature sensors to examine the spatial and temporal variability in air temperature and lapse rates across the south Okanagan. Site range from the valley bottom to high elevation forests on both the east and west sides of the valley. Measurements are being made using i-buttons, a low-cost temperature data logger.
For the winter of 2013/14 a weather station has been installed at a high elevation site west of Penticton to better characterize the high elevation conditions.
The lab is currently monitoring a network of temperature sensors to examine the spatial and temporal variability in air temperature and lapse rates across the south Okanagan. Site range from the valley bottom to high elevation forests on both the east and west sides of the valley. Measurements are being made using i-buttons, a low-cost temperature data logger.
For the winter of 2013/14 a weather station has been installed at a high elevation site west of Penticton to better characterize the high elevation conditions.
Green Roof Hydrology
The Penticton campus of Okanagan College is home to the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation. As part of the building design, there are 4 green roof sections. We have installed a weather station for monitoring energy and water balance components to better understand the hydrology of green roof's and the efficacy of this technology in the dry climate of the south Okanagan.
Click on the image to the left to download a PDF version of our poster.
The Penticton campus of Okanagan College is home to the Jim Pattison Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Building Technologies and Renewable Energy Conservation. As part of the building design, there are 4 green roof sections. We have installed a weather station for monitoring energy and water balance components to better understand the hydrology of green roof's and the efficacy of this technology in the dry climate of the south Okanagan.
Click on the image to the left to download a PDF version of our poster.
Irrigation Efficiency
We are working with the Friends of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens to help improve irrigation efficiency. Following an irrigation audit, the Friends asked us to measure weather and soil moisture to help them better understand how much water is necessary for the gardens. Measurements were carried out in the summer of 2013 and more are planned for summer 2014.
We are working with the Friends of the Summerland Ornamental Gardens to help improve irrigation efficiency. Following an irrigation audit, the Friends asked us to measure weather and soil moisture to help them better understand how much water is necessary for the gardens. Measurements were carried out in the summer of 2013 and more are planned for summer 2014.
Testing and calibrating simple tool to measure streamflow
In collaboration with Robin Pike and Emilia Young at the BC Ministry of Environment in Victoria, we have been working on testing and calibrating a simple instrument for measuring streamflow. The Transparent Velocity Head Rod (TVHR) is a non-mechanical or electrical method of measuring the depth and velocity of water in a stream based on hydraulic principles. The method has not been well tested for small stream and low flow conditions.
If a reliable calibration can be developed for this instrument it would provide non-specialists with a simple method of obtaining accurate estimates of streamflow.
In collaboration with Robin Pike and Emilia Young at the BC Ministry of Environment in Victoria, we have been working on testing and calibrating a simple instrument for measuring streamflow. The Transparent Velocity Head Rod (TVHR) is a non-mechanical or electrical method of measuring the depth and velocity of water in a stream based on hydraulic principles. The method has not been well tested for small stream and low flow conditions.
If a reliable calibration can be developed for this instrument it would provide non-specialists with a simple method of obtaining accurate estimates of streamflow.
Effects of forest management on hydrology
This is a long-term interest, so please have a look at the publications page for past research and synthesis work, including The Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in BC.
Currently we are collaborating with Dr. Rita Winkler of the BC Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations on the Upper Penticton Watershed Experiment. The UPCk study is a long-term field-based research program to better understand the effects of forest harvest on hydrology and water quality.
This is a long-term interest, so please have a look at the publications page for past research and synthesis work, including The Compendium of Forest Hydrology and Geomorphology in BC.
Currently we are collaborating with Dr. Rita Winkler of the BC Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations on the Upper Penticton Watershed Experiment. The UPCk study is a long-term field-based research program to better understand the effects of forest harvest on hydrology and water quality.