New Camera Technology Measures Water Flow

OTT HydroMet has launched a revolutionary new technology for monitoring water flow. The OTT HydroSight system uses video to measure flow without a requirement for any equipment or instruments to be deployed in, on or over water.

The HydroSight system delivers real‑time water level, surface velocity, and discharge measurements using edge-processed video data on a single Axis camera that can be installed safely beside the water.

“This is a game-changer,” explains OTT’s Dr Liam Goodes. “Traditional methods involve higher levels of risk, particularly during storm and flood events. In contrast, the HydroSight camera can be installed in a safe location, away from high water and debris,” he adds. “Customers will be familiar with our radar sensors for surface velocity measurement at a single point on the water, but HydroSight measures a wide area across the entire channel, which means that high-resolution discharge measurements can be calculated continually, directly on the camera, following calibration or when combined with bathymetric data. All calculations are performed in the camera hardware itself rather than in the cloud, which increases responsiveness and reliability.”

A key advantage of this new technology is its ability to deliver accurate and traceable data collection in complex or hazardous flow conditions, such as during flood events, or with water that is uneven, turbulent or carrying heavy debris or sediment.

In addition to the provision of flow data, HydroSight is also able to combine images with data, which helps to verify measurements and build confidence. Graphic overlays display velocity distribution and water level directly on the image, aiding remote validation and enabling informed decisions on site visits and flood management.

Designed to operate reliably for long deployments, HydroSight can run on mains power or solar/battery, with minimal ongoing maintenance required after initial on-site calibration by OTT engineers.

OTT HydroSight has already been evaluated for over a year in Germany, France and Italy, and new units are currently being installed in the UK.

Summarising Liam Goodes says: “This new technology will be of great interest to both government and local authorities with flood protection responsibilities. However, with its ability to safely monitor challenging water, HydroSight will also be used by hydrologists, researchers, water resource engineers, and staff in engineering and consulting firms.”

About OTT HydroMet
OTT HydroMet manufactures products that enable water professionals to monitor the planet's most precious resource. Through the delivery of accurate reliable data, OTT HydroMet's instruments and services provide essential tools to help protect the environment.

From precipitation through surface and ground water to marine monitoring applications, OTT's measurement and communication technologies provide a complete picture of the water cycle. OTT and Hydrolab have been longstanding members of OTT HydroMet. Adcon Telemetry was acquired in 2011; Sutron and Lufft joined the group in 2015; Kipp & Zonen joined in 2017, and Aquatic Informatics joined the now Veralto Water Quality platform in 2020, which means that the company is able to offer the best sensors and data handling technology and software for every application.

Completely focused on hydro-meteorology and water quality, OTT HydroMet’s product brand OTT has been market leaders for over 150 years and coupled with modern communications technology provide remote access to continuous monitoring data. For more information, visit www.otthydromet.com