Approximately 6% of U.S. electrical generation capacity is produced by hydroelectric sources. Dams and turbines come to mind first when thinking about hydroelectric power, but equally important are reservoirs. Reservoirs, created when a hydroelectric dam controls the flow of a river, require effort to maintain just like the generating parts of the system. Satelytics has the solutions you need.

Satelytics’ Constant Vigilance™ suite of algorithms automates the routine tasks performed by shoreline and reservoir management groups. We group these tasks into three categories: physical, chemical, and biological. Highlighted below are the top problems for reservoir managers in each category and how Satelytics solves them.

Physical Changes

Satelytics’ algorithms can alert to illegal construction of docks and structures along shorelines. Our customers decide how far up the shoreline they wish to monitor and the size and type of structure to which they wish to be alerted, with alerts tied back to property addresses for easy field response.

We also provide measurements for erosion, bathymetry, sediment build-up, turbidity, and digital surface models of watershed areas.

Chemical Changes

Satelytics quantifies nitrogen and phosphorous in water in parts per billion concentrations. Together, these nutrients are the primary driver behind harmful algal blooms. We help reservoir managers get ahead of the problem, not only measuring concentrations, but also pointing to the source of nutrient loading. Additionally, our Constant Vigilance™ suite alerts to hydrocarbon sheens and metals in waterbodies.

Biological Changes

In concert with chemical concentrations, we developed algorithms to detect and measure chlorophyll-a and phycocyanin — biological indicators of harmful algal blooms. Sample entire reservoirs for concentrations in parts per billion — no point sampling needed. Other biological changes we alert to include the growth of subaquatic and emergent shoreline vegetation.

All of the above services (and more) can be obtained in parallel for a single cost, no boats required. Sleep easy at night, knowing your reservoirs and shorelines are under Constant Vigilance™. Want to know more? Give us a call today!