Across Latin America, access to reliable environmental data is becoming increasingly important for managing water resources, supporting energy production, and protecting ecosystems.

From hydropower reservoirs facing climate-related variability to rapidly developing coastal areas, getting continuous, high-quality measurements to guide planning and safeguard natural systems has never been more important. In many remote or dynamic environments, this means deploying resilient monitoring platforms that can operate autonomously and deliver data in real time.

Base Flow was founded in 2013 with the goal of protecting water resources by providing top-quality environmental monitoring equipment. Initially focused on aquaculture, the company has expanded to be a leading distributor of oceanographic and hydrological monitoring equipment in Mexico and South America–including NexSens products.

Cynthia Marrot is a Manager at Base Flow. Based in Miami, Florida, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and a Master’s in Quality Assurance, and has worked in the water quality market for over a decade.

In Guyana, CB-450 buoys measure spatial and seasonal variations in water quality, supporting the management of water resources and development of water quality standards. (Credit: Photograph courtesy of EPA Guyana (@epagyig))

A Powerful Partnership

“I am very excited that we successfully incorporated NexSens equipment and representation into our portfolio for more than three years now,” Marrot says.

“We currently have multiple NexSens monitoring systems deployed across several sites in Latin America, supporting hydrological and water quality data collection for research, operational control, and environmental management.”

Marrot highlights that Base Flow customers appreciate the usability and flexibility of NexSens systems–“Our customers find that NexSens equipment offers not only greater cost-effectiveness compared to competing solutions but also superior ease of installation. The plug-and-play modular design of the buoys and data loggers make the system even more attractive.”

Marrot provides a snapshot of some of the NexSens environmental monitoring technology deployed in Latin America, enabled by Base Flow.

Puerto Montt is a major transport and trading hub in southern Chile. The NexSens X2 data logger is deployed from a pier and supports real-time monitoring of coastal waters.

Hydroelectric Monitoring

Hydropower plays an important role in South America’s energy mix, meeting approximately 45% of its energy demand. Good data is required to ensure the safety and regulation of hydropower, as well as to identify efficiencies.

Furthermore, with lifespans that span multiple decades, hydroelectric plants are likely to be affected by climate change–for example, through projected water shortage caused by melting glaciers, and more frequent drought.

Indeed, these effects are already being felt. In early 2014 and 2015, Brazil almost entered electricity rationing when hydropower reservoirs reached their lowest levels since records began.

The Itaipú Hydroelectric Dam is located along the Paraná River on the Paraguay-Brazil border and is one of the world’s largest hydroelectric dams in terms of energy production. In 2018, the energy it generated supplied nearly 90% of Paraguayan and 15% of Brazilian annual energy consumption.

A NexSens CB-75-SVS buoy is deployed on the Paraguayan side of the dam to measure wave height and direction on the Paraná River. The system provides continuous hydrodynamic data to support dam operation and water resource management.

Similarly, the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Dam straddles national borders–between Argentina and Uruguay. Built in a rocky region, it uses the Salto Grande’s natural fall to generate hydroelectric power and provides the equivalent of more than a million homes with electricity each year.

A NexSens CB-450 buoy is deployed on the Uruguayan side of the Salto Grande Hydroelectric Dam. Equipped with YSI EXO sondes, it measures water quality parameters including temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity. This real-time monitoring contributes to operational optimization and environmental compliance.

CB-450 buoy being towed to location in Guyana. (Credit: EPA Guyana (@epagyig))

Water Quality Systems

Systems are also deployed to assess broader questions of water quality.

Further north, in Guyana, multiple CB-450 buoys equipped with YSI EXO sondes are installed to monitor spatial and seasonal variations in river water quality. The systems collect hydrological and tidal data, support pollution source identification, and contribute to the development of national water quality standards.

In Panama, where South and Central America meet, a buoy-based system integrated with In-Situ sondes is being developed. It will be deployed at the effluent discharge point of a water treatment plant, enabling long-term performance evaluation and environmental impact assessment.

Deployments aren’t just buoy-based. At Puerto Montt, a port town in southern Chile that offers a gateway to the Chilean Lake District and Patagonia, NexSens X2 data loggers have been integrated with YSI and AADII sensors for continuous environmental and water quality monitoring in coastal environments

NexSens X2 data logger and sonde being prepared for deployment at Puerto Montt, Chile.

The Data

Across all these varying deployments, the need for reliable, real-time data is a common denominator. WQData LIVE offers a straightforward way for clients to view data from NexSens-integrated systems.

“All our customers using NexSens equipment rely on the WQData Live cloud platform to easily access and manage their environmental data in real time,” Marrot states.

“Its user-friendly interface, interactive dashboards, and powerful visualization tools make it simple to track key water quality parameters, generate reports, and share insights instantly, whether data are transmitted via 4G cellular connection or through Iridium satellite in more remote locations,” she continues.

The CB-75-SVS buoy helps inform dam and water management at the Itaipú Hydroelectric Dam, located along the Paraná River on the Paraguay-Brazil border. (Credit: Atenas Energia Paraguay (@atenasenergia.py))

Working Together

Deploying technologies across such a broad range of locations and environments is not without its challenges.

“We have had a few minor issues with connectivity and equipment over time,” Marrot says, “But the exceptional technical support provided by the [NexSens] engineering team and the quick, attentive customer service have always exceeded our expectations.”

“Virtual training sessions are well received for their clarity and technical depth, while the extensive documentation available on the website provides ongoing support,” she adds.

These environmental monitoring efforts cross borders, providing valuable, reliable technologies that enable a deeper understanding and better management of natural resources. “We are truly proud to represent NexSens,” Marrot concludes.

One Comment

1. 

   Pierre

   November 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM

   Exciting to see NexSens highlight this! Base Flow partners closely with YSI and Xylem as well to deliver complete water quality solutions. Together with YSI, Aanderaa, and NexSens, we’re meeting critical monitoring needs across the Caribbean, Central and South America.

   Reply