Real-Time ALERT & ALERT2 Networks for Life-Safety Monitoring
Flooding remains the most deadly and costly natural disaster in the United States. An automated flood early warning system gives emergency managers the real-time precipitation and stream level data they need to issue timely warnings, activate emergency plans, and protect lives and property. HydroLynx Systems has designed and manufactured flood warning equipment for government agencies for more than two decades.
Our systems are built around the ALERT and ALERT2 telemetry protocols — the nationally recognized standards for automated flood warning established by the National Weather Service and maintained by the National Hydrologic Warning Council (NHWC). Every component we manufacture is designed for unattended, solar-powered operation in remote, harsh environments where reliable performance is critical.
Every flood early warning system (FEWS) follows the same four-step chain, and each link has to keep working during the worst storm of the year:
Because the stations report on their own power and their own radio network, an ALERT2 flood warning system keeps working when cellular networks and commercial power fail.
A complete flood warning system consists of several integrated components working together to detect, transmit, and act on hydrological data in real time:
Remote field stations are deployed at critical locations throughout a watershed. Rain gauge stations measure precipitation as it happens. Stream level stations use submersible pressure transducers to monitor water levels at bridges, dams, and channel crossings. Weather stations add wind, temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure data for more complete situational awareness.
Telemetry equipment — including data transmitters, radios, antennas, and repeaters — carries data from remote stations to a central base station using the ALERT or ALERT2 radio protocol. Repeater stations extend the radio coverage of a network across mountainous or obstructed terrain.
Base station software receives incoming data, displays it on maps and graphs, triggers alarms when thresholds are exceeded, and distributes information to emergency management personnel, the National Weather Service, and the public.
HydroLynx manufactures complete, deployment-ready packaged stations that include all necessary sensors, transmitters, power systems, and enclosures. Our stations are designed to be installed in the field and operate reliably for years with minimal maintenance.
Models 5354/A2 and 5854/A2 — complete self-reporting rain gauge stations with ALERT2 transmitters, tipping bucket sensors, solar power, and weatherproof enclosures.
Models 5390/A2 and 5890/A2 — pressure transducer stations for monitoring water levels at streams, dams, reservoirs, and flood-prone crossings.
Models 5381/A2 and 5881/A2 — multi-parameter weather stations measuring wind, temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and precipitation.
Model 50386P/A2 — store-and-forward radio repeaters that extend ALERT2 network coverage across difficult terrain.
HydroLynx equipment has been deployed in ALERT and ALERT2 flood warning networks operated by county flood control districts, state emergency management agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, and international water management organizations. Agencies choose HydroLynx because our equipment is purpose-built for flood warning — not adapted from general-purpose data logging platforms.
Every HydroLynx packaged station ships ready to deploy. Sensors are pre-wired, transmitters are pre-configured, and enclosures are weatherproofed. Field technicians can install a station in hours, not days. And because all of our equipment is ALERT2-compliant, it integrates seamlessly with existing ALERT networks during phased upgrade programs.
Whether you are building a new flood early warning system from scratch or upgrading legacy ALERT stations to ALERT2, HydroLynx can help. See how ALERT2 compares to legacy ALERT and how a phased upgrade works. We work with agencies to design systems tailored to local watershed characteristics, radio terrain, and budget requirements.
A flood early warning system (FEWS) is a network of automated rain gauges, stream level sensors, and radio telemetry that continuously reports hydrologic conditions to a central base station. When rainfall or water levels cross preset thresholds, the system alerts emergency managers so they can warn the public, close roads, and activate response plans before flooding occurs.
Remote field stations measure rainfall and stream levels and transmit each reading over licensed UHF/VHF radio using the ALERT2 protocol. Repeaters relay data across difficult terrain to a receiver/decoder at the base station, where software displays the data, checks it against alarm thresholds, and notifies staff and partner agencies within seconds.
A typical network includes tipping bucket rain gauge stations, stream or reservoir level stations (usually with submersible pressure transducers), optional weather stations, data transmitters with solar power, antennas, one or more radio repeaters, and a base station receiver with alarm and display software. HydroLynx manufactures packaged stations that combine these components in a deployment-ready enclosure.
Yes. ALERT2 supports a phased transition, so agencies can upgrade station by station while legacy ALERT stations stay in service. HydroLynx offers ALERT2 firmware upgrade kits, replacement transmitters, and complete packaged stations to fit each upgrade budget.
HydroLynx equipment is used by county flood control districts, cities, state emergency management and water agencies, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, water utilities, and international water management organizations.
Our sales engineers can help you design a system that meets your coverage, sensor, and budget requirements.
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