The generation of hydrological data for accurate flood predictions requires robust and, ideally, dense monitoring systems. This requirement is challenging in locations such as the Himalayas, which are characterised by unpredictable hydroclimatic behaviour with dramatic small‐scale spatial and temporal variability. River level monitoring sensors that are affordable and easy‐to‐operate could support flood risk management activities in the region. We therefore identify potential for a local participatory monitoring network that also serve to overcome existing data gaps, which represent the main bottleneck for establishing an effective community‐based flood early‐warning system. We have applied a citizen science‐based hydrological monitoring approach in which we tested low‐cost river level sensors. Initial results, collected over summer 2017 from two stations on the River Karnali, suggest that our system can successfully be operated by non‐scientists, producing river level data that match those obtained from an adjacent government‐operated high‐tech radar sensor. We discuss potential opportunities to integrate these low‐cost sensors into existing hydrological monitoring practice. Combined with an adaptive, community‐led approach to resilience building, we argue that our low‐cost sensing technology has the potential not only to increase spatial network coverage in data‐scarce regions, but also to empower and educate local stakeholders to build flood resilience.

中文翻译：

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使用低成本传感器和公民科学减轻洪水风险：尼泊尔西部的概念验证研究

为准确进行洪水预报而生成水文数据，需要强大且理想的密集监控系统。在喜玛拉雅山等地区，这种需求具有挑战性，这些地区的特点是不可预测的水文气候行为，且时空变化小。价格合理且易于操作的河流水位监测传感器可以支持该地区的洪水风险管理活动。因此，我们确定了地方参与式监测网络的潜力，该网络也可以克服现有的数据缺口，这是建立有效的基于社区的洪水预警系统的主要瓶颈。我们采用了基于公民科学的水文监测方法，在其中测试了低成本的河水位传感器。初步结果，该系统于2017年夏季从卡纳利河上的两个站点收集而来，这表明我们的系统可以由非科学家成功运行，其河流水位数据与从相邻政府运营的高科技雷达传感器获得的数据相匹配。我们讨论了将这些低成本传感器集成到现有水文监测实践中的潜在机会。结合适应性强，社区主导的抗灾能力建设方法，我们认为，我们的低成本传感技术不仅有可能增加数据稀缺地区的空间网络覆盖范围，而且还具有增强能力和教育当地利益相关者建设抗洪能力的潜力。生成与从相邻政府运营的高科技雷达传感器获得的河流水位数据相匹配的河流水位数据。我们讨论了将这些低成本传感器集成到现有水文监测实践中的潜在机会。结合适应性强，社区主导的抗灾能力建设方法，我们认为，我们的低成本传感技术不仅有可能增加数据稀缺地区的空间网络覆盖范围，而且还具有增强能力和教育当地利益相关者建设抗洪能力的潜力。生成与从相邻政府运营的高科技雷达传感器获得的河流水位数据相匹配的河流水位数据。我们讨论了将这些低成本传感器集成到现有水文监测实践中的潜在机会。结合适应性强，社区主导的抗灾能力建设方法，我们认为，我们的低成本传感技术不仅有可能增加数据稀缺地区的空间网络覆盖范围，而且还具有增强能力和教育当地利益相关者建设抗洪能力的潜力。