Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time
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Weather Station/Gauge Information
ALERT Information
For questions regarding Flood Control ALERT system please email Mark Massis at mark.massis@co.yavapai.az.us
DISCLAIMER
ALERT data is received on a real-time basis from remote sensors and displayed as general information, only. All data should be treated as preliminary, therefore subject to revision.
While every attempt is made to assure gauges report accurate data, there are occasionally times when outside factors affect data quality (i.e. vandalism, equipment malfunctions, routine maintenance and testing, insects, data collision, gauge placement, wind, snow, hail, etc.).
Furthermore, the data displayed on this site comes from a separate database that is connected to the primary base computer. Occasional network outages may break the link to timely data reports. As a result, it is crucial the user pay attention to the date and time of the data.
The Yavapai County Flood Control District makes no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy of the data located on this server.
About ALERT
ALERT is an acronym for "Automated Local Evaluation in Real Time" and refers to a National Weather Service format developed in the 1970’s for transmission of hydrometeorological data from remote sensors via radio in real-time.
The Yavapai County Flood Control District ALERT System consists of precipitation gauges, stream gauges and other weather related sensors that have been strategically placed in watersheds impacting communities in Yavapai County. Sensors transmit data from remote sites using VHF radio via mountain top repeaters to our base station in Prescott where it is received, decoded, time stamped and stored on our base station computer for analysis. A separate database is networked to our base station allowing data to be viewed on the web.
Yavapai County FCD ALERT System History
ALERT began in Yavapai County in 1989 with the design and implementation of the Sedona/Oak Creek flood warning system, and was followed shortly thereafter by the design and implementation of the Prescott area early warning system.
Currently the Yavapai County ALERT System network collects data from 48 rain gauges, 14 water level gauges and 5 weather stations through a network of 4 repeaters. In addition to our system, we receive data from 38 rain gauges, 8 stream gauges and 4 weather stations in the southern part of Yavapai County (owned and operated by the Flood Control District of Maricopa County).
All data is received at our base station in Prescott and used to assess potential flooding threats in watersheds that impact Yavapai County. Data is also used to re-create storm events and provide exact rain and stream flow measurements, thus allowing us to assess future drainage and roadway projects.
In addition, the National Weather Service in Flagstaff receives the data and uses it to compare actual ground conditions with those observed in their radar imagery, thus aiding in their issuance of flood watches, flood warnings and severe weather advisories.
Other agencies that receive data from the gauge network includes the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), Flood Control District of Maricopa County (FCDMC), Salt River Project (SRP), City of Sedona and City of Prescott.