Reclamation Information Sharing Environment (RISE)

From 2017-2022, USACE, USGS, and Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) crews collected hydraulic and sediment data to test the capabilities and limitations of the LISST-ABS sensor, designed for suspended sediment monitoring using acoustic backscatter as a surrogate for suspended sediment concentration. The exercises were conducted during an annual reservoir flushing exercise at Cherry Creek Dam near Denver, Colorado. The instrument offers several compelling advantages, including low cost, ease of use, portability, and capability for long-term autonomous deployment. The investigation revealed challenges associated with making stable and reliable measurements; however, these drawbacks can largely be overcome through setup of a thoughtful deployment scheme and assimilation of laboratory calibration routines.