Modern sensor technology at the historic Ettl Mill

The historic Ettl Mill in Grafenau, Lower Bavaria, boasts not only the carefully restored Zuppinger water wheel, but also a weir and fish ladder in the nearby Kleine Ohe. To keep a constant eye on the water level at these two critical points in the river, an efficient yet powerful IoT solution with sensor technology was to be installed.

The approximately 700-year-old Ettl Mill is located between Eberhardsreuth and Nendlnach. It is one of the oldest mills in the Bavarian Forest and continues to operate to this day. However, the effort to maintain the facility is great: In 2018, the 48 blades of the mill wheel were replaced laboriously by hand. This followed the replacement of the clutch for the "Zuppinger water wheel" for €8,500 in 2012. The mill is maintained by Anton Bogner, an experienced engineer who does most of the work himself and also lives on the historic farm. Situated on the rivers Ilz and Kleine Ohe, the Ettl Mill has several dams, including a river weir and a fish ladder, which is intended to make it easier for brown trout, perch and the like to make their way up and downstream. The principles of the Ettl Mill native traditionally include efforts to preserve the surrounding nature and delicate care when carrying out any necessary modernization work.
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Case study Fish ladder historic Ettl mill

Automatic water level measurement with alarm system working in harmony with nature.

The water level at the fish ladder of the 700-year-old Ettl mill was previously measured manually.Together with two partners, Thomas-Krenn has now developed a measuring station that automatically measures the water level, transmits it in real time and sounds an alarm if the water level is too high. The system is built to withstand harsh environmental influences, can transmit data over great distances and blends in well with the surrounding habitat.

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