The Hydromet receives data about current hydrologic and weather conditions from remote
sensing data collection platforms located throughout the western United States. About
300 of these sites are located in the Pacific Northwest to monitor conditions in the
Columbia and Snake River basins. These solar-powered stations collect data at regular
intervals from a variety of sensors, then transmit their data at scheduled intervals via
a GOES satellite or radio transmission. Hydromet also collects data for other
Reclamation regions and Federal agencies, approximately 1600 sites in all.