University of Iowa Foundation payment page will open in new window. You can stay on this page and vote for a sensor location.
If the payment page doesn't open automatically, please click here.
Proposed Sensors 
Current IFC SensorsYou can help the Iowa Flood Center in two important ways.
- Support Fund-A-Sensor through a tax-deductible donation to increase the number of sensors across the state.
- Vote for a sensor location that will most benefit your community. No donation necessary to vote.
The FUND-A-SENSOR project was established by the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) to crowd-fund stream sensors to improve flood and drought monitoring in Iowa. IFC has already deployed 121 sensors, and is receiving stream levels in real-time, and sharing the data with the public through the Iowa Flood Information System.
Iowa's severe flooding and drought in recent years demonstrated the need for more extensive monitoring of the State's rivers and streams. To address this, the Iowa Flood Center developed and maintains a statewide network of inexpensive sensors designed to measure water level in streams and rivers, and transmit data automatically and frequently. The Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) allows anyone with a computer or smart phone to view the information using a web browser. The FUND-A-SENSOR project will result in an increased number of stream gauges in Iowa and improve safety of our citizens.
More information about the IFC stream sensors can be found here.
Proposed sensors and downstream communities that will benefit from these sensors are listed below:
How much funding is required for each sensor?
An amount of $3,000 is required for a stream sensor to be funded.
How will you use the funding?
The funding will be used for parts. Assembly labor and deployment to the field will be provided by Iowa Flood Center. No profit is included.
How many sensors should be funded for IFC to start the project?
We will start building and deploying sensors if 25 or more are funded.
When will IFC build and deploy funded sensors?
IFC will start building and deploying sensors if 25 or more sensors are funded by the end of the November 2012. Sensors will be deployed by March 2013, and sensor data will be available to the public on IFIS.
What will happen if the FUND-A-SENSOR project is under-funded?
The Iowa Flood Center will use donations to support maintenance and data-collection from the existing stream stage sensor network across the state.
What will happen if the FUND-A-SENSOR project is over-funded?
We will build and deploy even more new sensors in Iowa!
I don't see a proposed sensor in my community. Can I request one?
If the project is over-funded, we might have an opportunity to add more sensors than the project goal. Please contact us after the project completion.
Can I vote for a sensor without pledging an amount?
Yes, voting is open to all visitors.
How many times can a person vote?
Each visitor is allowed to vote for one sensor only.
How will I access stream stage information from the new sensors?
Data from all of the current Iowa Flood Center's stream stage sensors is readily available through the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS). IFIS a one-stop web-platform, developed by the Iowa Flood Center, to access community-based flood conditions, forecasts, visualizations, inundation maps and flood-related data, information, and applications.
Visit IFIS at http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org
How can I contact you for additional questions?
Please contact Dr. Ibrahim Demir (email, web) for Fund-A-Sensor Initiative and Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), and Sara Steussy (email, web) for Media Inquries
