Troubleshooting & FAQs
The Operator focuses on providing a general configuration for all users. Additional map backgrounds and other layers are configured by the Operator System Administrator.
The key to successfully enjoying all the features of the NovaStar Operator is proper configuration of the tool by a system administrator. The configuration properties are set in the systemConfiguration.txt file.
The Operator functions optimally if viewed on a modern browser. These include Chrome, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer is NOT recommended.
If it appears Operator is experiencing difficulty, one method to determine the problem is to review the browser's console. Each browser's console is accessed uniquely. For Chrome, right click on the browser and select Inspect or click the three vertical dots in the upper right corner and select More tools/Developer tools. Then click the Console tab. Errors are displayed in red. Alert the system administrator and provide these error messages to help identify the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions¶
General¶
Why is Operator slow to return data?
Please contact your administrator! TriLynx wants your experience with our software to be positive. Sluggish performance should be analyzed.
Map¶
A precipitation gauge is missing from the map and (if available on the dashboard) only shows battery voltage but not precip data on the dashboard?
- Gauges must have a rating assigned in order to be visible by Operator. Click station then edit the preicpitation point. The following computations should be set: Rainfall Increment (shef code set to PP), Season Rainfall (shef code set to PPY), and Storm Rainfall (shef code set to CP).
- Appropriate SHEF code must be set on the point and rating assignment (PC).
Why do some stations show as black dots with “No Report”?
A no report indicator is shown when a station has not reported a data value within the time interval for the data display. Real-time data stations used for flood warning typically do not report frequently (e.g., every 5 minutes), but instead report when there are changing conditions such as rain or rising/falling water level. Measurements may also be reported at a regular interval, such as every 12 hours, as a “heartbeat”. This approach ensures that the communications network is able to handle measurements from remote areas and that database does not fill with many repeated values. In arid regions, streams may be dry for much of the year and experience only a few days of rain.
Why does nothing seem to appear after clicking the checkbox for FEMA floodplain?
FEMA floodplain data is so fantastically granular and detailed, users must zoom in closely to areas of interest and wait a few seconds. From a zoomed out view, nothing but the legend will appear.
Dashboards¶
Why does the station dashboard only show precipitation data but not water level (stage) or flow (discharge)?
The station dashboard automatically includes graphs for data types that correspond to sensors for a station. Some stations only include a small number of sensors, such as precipitation and temperature, whereas other stations include other sensors. Water level is only included for stations that are near a water body. Discharge is only available in cases where the station is well-suited to implement a stream rating, which computes flow based on water level and stream channel geometry. Implementing a rating requires resources to survey the channel, perform computer modeling, and maintain the station and rating data, because the channel may change over time.
My system has stations with wind but it is not displaying. Why?
Wind can only be displayed if both wind speed and wind direction are defined for a station. Verify the SHEF codes are properly set: wind speed - US and wind direction - UD.
How do I Interpret Elevation for Water Level?
Elevation shown on station dashboard graphs and other displays only makes sense with additional context. The elevation is relative to a datum, which may be absolute (such as mean sea level, MSL) or local (such as relative to a bridge or trail). Water level cannot reliably be presented relative to the stream bottom because the stream bottom varies across the channel and may change due to erosion and sedimentation. To facilitate interpreting elevation, station dashboards may include an elevation profile that provides context to interpret elevation. Alarm triggers are also often defined relative to infrastructure and can be used as a reference.
Can I create my own custom dashboards?
In order to save custom dashboards, user web services must be running and you must be logged in. If you are unsure about whether user web services are running, talk to your administrator.