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arXiv · 2601.03447

Cost-Effective Radar Sensors for Field-Based Water Level Monitoring with Sub-Centimeter Accuracy

Anna Zavei-Boroda·J. Toby Minear·Kyle Harlow·Dusty Woods·Christoffer Heckman
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Abstract

Water level monitoring is critical for flood management, water resource allocation, and ecological assessment, yet traditional methods remain costly and limited in coverage. This work explores radar-based sensing as a low-cost alternative for water level estimation, leveraging its non-contact nature and robustness to environmental conditions. Commercial radar sensors are evaluated in real-world field tests, applying statistical filtering techniques to improve accuracy. Results show that a single radar sensor can achieve centimeter-scale precision with minimal calibration, making it a practical solution for autonomous water monitoring using drones and robotic platforms.

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Anna Zavei-Boroda, J. Toby Minear, Kyle Harlow, Dusty Woods, Christoffer Heckman. 2026-01-06. Cost-Effective Radar Sensors for Field-Based Water Level Monitoring with Sub-Centimeter Accuracy. https://arxiv.org/abs/2601.03447

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