Buoy real-time data
On the SUNY New Paltz campus, a chain of ponds (the Gunk) forms the start of the Saw Mill Brook. The Saw
Mill Brook flows through campus, the Village and Town of New Paltz before merging with the Wallkill River. As
part of a larger project, we are monitoring the water quality and quantity leaving campus.
As part of the monitoring, we have installed a water quality buoy in the large pond. This buoy, powered
by solar panels, contains several different sensors that continuously monitor water quality in the large pond
on the SUNY New Paltz (i.e., The Gunk). Every 10-15 minutes, the data is transmitted via cell phone signal this
web page. The buoy will be monitoring pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity. Aquatic
ecosystems have daily cycles and without taking frequent measurements, these cycles and changes as a result of
smaller rain events will be missed.
Please explore the website to see past data and more information about the buoy and this project.
The Data Buoy
Equipped with solar panels, a bundle of sensors and a cellular modem, the buoy is capable of remotely monitoring the Gunk throughout the year.