From Streams to Stats - Measuring Water Flow with IoT
- jillaineuk
- Jun 25
- 2 min read
As climate conditions change, the frequency and severity of floods are increasing around the world. For landowners, municipalities, and environmental authorities alike, keeping track of small water streams is becoming not just a question of hydrology—but of preparedness. But what is the best way of accurately measuring water flow with IoT through a simple, square-shaped open channel?
Turning sensor data into cubic metres
That was the question from one of our customers, who needed to understand the volume of water passing through a square water channel on their property. The goal was simple: calculate the total water flow in cubic metres per hour.
The method is rooted in fundamental hydrodynamics. With just three parameters: water temperature, channel width, and water depth. A real-time flow rate can be calculated using a modified form of the Manning equation, adapted for open-channel flow in rectangular conduits. To make this accessible, we embedded the formula directly into our IoT platform, allowing the user to input channel width once, and then get live flow estimates based on sensor data.
Robust hardware in the field
To make it happen, we provided an AKKR8 unit in an IP65-rated enclosure, designed for year-round outdoor use in harsh environments. The system was configured with:
A 4–20 mA analog level sensor to measure water depth.
An external temperature probe to track water temperature.
The device is driven by mains power with a built-in battery backup, ensuring uninterrupted operation even during power outages.
The AKKR8 gateway transmits data over the mobile network and connects seamlessly to our cloud platform, where real-time readings are turned into actionable insight—cubic metres per hour, visualised, logged, and exportable.
Why this matters
Across the globe, countless small streams and channels flow quietly—until they don’t. Real-time measurement helps detect anomalies, observe seasonal changes, and plan for heavy rainfall. For rural areas or remote sites, it’s a low-cost and low-maintenance way to gain control over local water flows—without complex infrastructure.
A ready-to-use solution
By combining basic hydrology with smart IoT, the customer gained a plug-and-play solution that delivers flow measurements with high reliability. And because it’s based on standard sensors and an open platform, the same setup can be scaled to other locations, configured for other channel geometries, or integrated with weather forecasts and alarm logic. If mains power is not available, the device can be equipped with a solar panel as well. From passive observation to proactive planning—one stream at a time.
