Experimental Evaluation of an IoT-Based Water Level Monitoring System for Agricultural Farm Dams

Alfred Kgopa

doi:10.31258/ijeepse.9.3.137-148

Alfred Kgopa School of Computing, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31258/ijeepse.9.3.137-148

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Keywords: agricultural water management, Internet of Things, laboratory prototype, remote monitoring, ultrasonic distance sensor.

Abstract

Water level monitoring is essential for effective water resource management in agriculture, particularly for farmers who rely on dams for irrigation and livestock watering. Traditional monitoring methods are often labor-intensive, time consuming, and unable to provide real-time information. This study presents the design and development of an Internet of Things (IoT)-based Water Level Monitoring System that enables farmers to monitor dam water levels remotely. The system integrates an ultrasonic sensor, NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller, LCD display, relay module, buzzer, and WiFi communication to measure and transmit real-time water level data. A prototype was developed and tested using a simulated dam environment to evaluate system functionality. Experimental results showed an average absolute measurement error of 0.04 cm, with percentage errors below 2% across the tested range and a remote notification response time of approximately 1–3 seconds. The proposed system offers a low cost, reliable, and efficient solution for improving water management, reducing overflow risks, and supporting timely decision making in agricultural environments.

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