The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has launched a prize competition seeking new and improved ground-based precipitation devices that are more accurate and reliable for use in remote areas in extreme weather conditions. Designs should minimize power and maintenance needs and eliminate reliance on oils and antifreeze often used to melt solid precipitation.

Accurate and reliable measurement of precipitation is critical for water resources management. Precipitation measurements contribute to water managers’ ability to forecast and react to changing hydrologic conditions and better plan for events that may affect long-term water supplies, including floods and droughts. Most streamflow in the western U.S. derives from precipitation over mountainous watersheds, posing operation and maintenance challenges for measurement in remote areas.

The Counting Every Drop Challenge focuses on addressing these challenges in two phases. Phase one white papers describing how a proposed device will accurately measure both liquid and solid precipitation on only a 12 V DC power supply without discharging any substances besides water must be submitted by October 24, 2022. Judges will select the top eight proposals by November 18, 2022, which will each receive $10,000.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Reclamation/Freelancer

The selected teams will build their prototype in phase 2. A preliminary review will be conducted during this phase. Up to five teams will receive $15,000 to continue prototype development during this phase. Teams that ship their prototype for testing will receive a $3,000 milestone award. The top solution that meets all the requirements and is fluid free will receive $100,000. Other solutions will share $30,000 in innovation awards.