Instead of having our thesis done at the Cotcot River, the CE people who collaborated with us decided to choose the Guadalupe River instead for many reasons. I’m not exactly sure what these reasons are but we have been a little bit happier about the news since our project had to consider communication network signal strengths for it to work. The river in Guadalupe had more promise of giving us a stronger signal in at least one service provider.

The sad news about our thesis was that the CE masteral people decided to change their project at the last minute. They sort of left us alone and we now had to worry about the installation of our project on the river, aside from the many problems we had already determined. But, as they say, “never say die”, and I never really had doubts with my team (although I think I should have, at least a bit) or any worries about us not making it.

I’ll probably post a few pictures of us visiting the river once I get a copy of it. The river was full of trash and it was definitely a breeding ground for mosquitoes. In fact, after the entire journey (we sort-of had a river trekking going upstream), we found ourselves having an itch or two on our legs.

It was quite hard to find a good place to set up our proposed water level sensor as well since not all parts of the river had the same level. In some places, the water was shallow and even if there was heavy flooding, it seemed like the water never really rose to a dangerous level. Some areas were already deep too. In fact, we saw many kids enjoying themselves while they bathed and swam on the river.

Fortunately, we did find a good place, one that the CE people suggested. They said it was best to place the sensor under a bridge, just behind one of its supports (although the one we found was not big and long enough to have such). Still, we decided it was a good place as the water also rose more than waist-deep during heavy rains. Plus, there was a “dike” where we could have the sensor mounted and possibly welded, so it would not be carried away by strong water current.

For now, part of our problem is solved. We’ll still meet problems on the way but we’ll manage somehow. Till the next.