Experimental Watershed
The Sainte-Marthe experimental watershed (bassin versant expérimental – BVE) comprises a network of automated hydroclimatic measuring stations that are used for research activities related to water and climate change.
The majority of the automated measurements are available in real time from the BVE Sainte-Marthe website, and are used for teaching activities at all three university levels.
- Main station: Located in a wooded area within a 350-m2 clearing, this is the most complete station on the site, equipped with advanced measuring instruments, including for studying snow and ground frost;
- Hydro 1 and Hydro 2: Hydrometric measuring stations;
- High station and Hydro 1: Equipped with basic hydrometeorological sensors, their role is to measure the spatial variability of meteorological conditions;
- Low station: Monitors a number of deep wells;
- EC tower: Equipped with a system called “covariance of turbulence” for measuring turbulent flows and carbon flux above the forest cover.
A number of other hydrometeorological measuring stations deployed by Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières complete the ÉTS network.