DROP is an open-source multipoint flood monitoring system, designed to optimize public safety and disaster relief in the event of a flood-based natural disaster. The idea was generated by William Jewell College students (Jacob Dice, Dalton Nelson, Macy Tush, Erika Storvick, and Will Hyde) at a design competition, “Invent for the Planet” held at Wichita State University. The project was inspired by hurricane Harvey and the increasing frequency of flood-based natural disasters.

During the weekend-long challenge, the student group ideated about possible sensor design and created a prototype. Since then, I (Jacob Dice) have decided to further the development of this project as my undergraduate physics honors project.

DROP is a device that will attach to a street sign, light post, etc. and it will report floodwater depth at that location. These devices will be located throughout the city to track flood water depth and optimize rescue crew efforts and public safety. Here is one of the designs I have prototyped:

During the design competition, I created a prototype with a Processing sketch to visualize the water level rising.