Commissioned by the Noorderzijlvest Water Authority, five advanced data buoys have been installed in the Lauwersmeer, a man-made lake in the north of the Netherlands. The data buoys, supplied by Observator Instruments, form an essential part of a new saltwater monitoring network that will provide detailed insight into the transition from fresh to salt water between the Lauwersmeer and the Wadden Sea over the coming years.

The OMC-7012 data buoys are equipped with high-quality sensors and data loggers, enabling continuous measurements of, among other things, salinity at various depths. The sensors feature an anti-fouling system with UV-LED technology, which prevents fouling and ensures long-term measurement accuracy is maintained with minimal maintenance requirements.

Insight into water structure
To gain insight into the stratified water structure, the data buoys are equipped with one to four sensors at varying depths. Salt water is heavier than fresh water and therefore often moves along the bottom, while fresh water may be present at the surface. Thanks to this measurement setup, the water structure is mapped in detail.

Reliable data as the basis for water management
The OMC-7012 data buoys are specifically designed for long-term deployment under challenging conditions. Thanks to the robust design and power supply via integrated solar panels, the systems can be deployed fully autonomously in open water.

Each data buoy is equipped with a data logger, which serves as the heart of the measurement system. This data logger continuously collects data from the connected sensors, stores it locally, and transmits it via the mobile network to a central server. This enables real-time monitoring without physical presence on location.

From five to 40 measuring points
With the placement of these first five buoys, a significant step has been taken in the further rollout of the monitoring network. In total, approximately 40 measuring points will be realised in both groundwater and surface water. All measurement data will be made publicly available via the data portal of Water Authority Noorderzijlvest. The entire monitoring network is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.