The SMA system is used to predict the time of snowmelt and its evaporation. It consists of a measuring head, an electronic measuring device, a switch cabinet and a PC software.
The measuring head consists of a switch cabinet and an aluminium frame with a measuring surface of 6.72 m². In the measuring surface there are 50 sensors for measurement of air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed (wind sensor). The data from these sensors is transferred via radio to the PC software in real time. On this basis it can calculate the time until the end of snow cover based on historical data and weather forecast. The measurement results can be displayed on the screen or printed out as text file (ASCII). The calculated values can also be exported as CSV files for further processing or analysis by Excel or other programs.
The maximum range at which flow can be measured is determined by the size of the receiving antenna, which is about 3 m for large rivers and up to 10 m for small streams. This method can also be used in channels with very low velocities (less than 1 m/s).
The SMA is a snowmelt analyzer that is appropriate for flood prediction and water management. The SMA measures the snow water equivalent (SWE) and outputs the results in 4 – 20 mA signals. The SSG measures the SWE and outputs the results in 4 – 20 mA signals.
The SMA has been developed on the basis of our experience with other systems, such as the Snowmelt Analyser (SMA) and the Snowfall Analyser (SFA). The SMA is intended for use in areas where there is a high risk of flooding due to snowmelt, or where there are problems with maintaining water supply during periods of heavy rain and strong winds.
