NY Consulting Firm Begins Coney Island Creek Dredging

Deployed data buoy

A New York consulting firm contacted NexSens Technology for assistance on designing and implementing a real-time turbidity dredge monitoring system.

The real-time system was installed in Coney Island Creek, a sea inlet separating the western portion of Coney Island from the main body of Kings County, New York. The dredging operations will begin this spring in an effort to remove contaminated sediment.

To measure turbidity levels, the consulting firm chose the OBS-3+ Turbidity Sensor from D&A Instruments. The sensor uses the optical backscatter method for turbidity measurements.

Significant water level fluctuation in the Creek causes many areas to completely dry up during low tide. To prevent the sensors from getting covered in muck during low tide, NexSens engineers developed float kits that surround 2" deployment poles installed in the creek.

As water level fluctuates, the float rises and lowers along the pole. A tether prevents the turbidity sensor from becoming covered in muck during low tide. Top and bottom eye nuts make it easy to connect various sensors and equipment.

During the dredging operations, data is collected at constant intervals and sent through license-free radio waves to the base station where project members can monitor turbidity levels.

The real-time turbidity data makes dredge operators aware when levels fall outside of regulation. If and when this occurs, dredging operations are slowed down or halted until levels fall back within range.

For more information on the latest in environmental data logging and software technology, contact Paul Nieberding at 937.426.2703.