Reliable Flood Warning Systems with Senix Ultrasonic Sensors | Iowa Flood Center Case Study

October 29, 2025  9  9   

To build one of the world’s most advanced flood monitoring and forecasting systems, the Iowa Flood Center (IFC)deployed more than 200 Senix ToughSonic® 30 and ToughSonic® 50 ultrasonic sensors across the state. These sensors continuously measure water levels in streams and rivers, transmitting real-time data to the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) — a sophisticated hydrological model that provides instant updates to the public and emergency response teams.

Through this system, residents and government agencies now have instant, accurate, and reliable flood data, helping them take proactive measures before and during flood events.

Why Senix Sensors Were Chosen

The IFC needed a rugged, cost-effective, and reliable solution to capture precise stream-level readings in harsh environments. Having already been proven in hydrology research at The University of Iowa’s IIHR Hydroscience & Engineering, Senix sensors were the clear choice.

The sensors’ programmable features, robust housing, and easy integration with other components — including cellular modems, solar panels, and data loggers — made them ideal for field deployment.

According to Project Engineer Daniel Ceynar, “Senix sensors and the Senix technical team have been pivotal to the success of this project.” The collaboration even led to the development of a custom ToughSonic 50 Rear Mount model, now a standard Senix product, designed to fit seamlessly with IFC’s Stream Gauge enclosures.

Built to Withstand the Elements

• Temperature range: -40°C to +70°C

• Humidity: 0–100%

• Water-tight stainless steel housing

Before field installation, every IFC stream gauge undergoes a 3-day submersion test to confirm water-tightness. Many of these sensors have since been fully submerged during flash floods and continued transmitting accurate data once water levels receded — without any maintenance or repair required.

“Once installed, the IFC stream gauges are practically 100% maintenance-free. Most haven’t been revisited since installation — more than four years ago,” said Ceynar.

Real-Time Data That Saves Lives

With data collected at intervals from 5 minutes to 1 hour, the sensors feed continuous updates into the IFIS platform via RS-485 serial communication. The information allows officials to:

• Track flood crests in real time

• Identify risks to roads, bridges, and communities

• Coordinate emergency response efforts more effectively

Before this system, responders had to be dispatched physically to assess flood threats. Now, real-time data lets them focus their efforts on protecting people and infrastructure — not on monitoring rising water.

Setting a Global Standard

The success of the IFC project has inspired flood monitoring initiatives worldwide, with interest from other U.S. states and international agencies, including Australia and Washington State’s Department of Transportation.

As the first and only flood centre in the U.S., the Iowa Flood Center continues to set a benchmark for real-time hydrological monitoring. With the help of Senix ultrasonic sensors, Iowa leads the way toward smarter, safer, and more connected flood management systems.

“The IFC is the only flood centre in the U.S., and IFIS is the only system of its kind,” said Ceynar. “We continue our efforts to create a National Flood Centre.”