Moscow Region Moves to Smart Water Monitoring
The Moscow Region is expanding a network of smart “pegs” – intelligent sensors that track water levels around the clock across rivers and reservoirs, helping authorities respond faster to rising water and reduce flood risks.
Authorities have already installed 166 electronic sensors on water bodies across the region, with more devices scheduled for deployment this year. Municipalities have submitted around 40 additional requests to extend coverage.
Small Sensors, Big Impact
The level sensors run on solar panels, include battery backups, and capture visual data. They transmit real-time readings to emergency services, transport authorities, and local dispatch centers. When conditions change rapidly, the system triggers alerts instantly. In practice, these automated controllers help protect both property and lives.
“We now have a digital platform where water level data is displayed in real time for both emergency services and the transport ministry. That allows faster decision-making – the system operates as a single mechanism,” said Vladimir Loktev, Vice Governor of the Moscow Region.
In Kolomna, one of the most hydrologically complex areas, the rollout of electronic sensors reduced resident complaints about flooding by nearly half. The number of flood-prone zones dropped by more than two times. That shift has made flood risks more predictable for local communities.
Floods Under Control
Flooding remains one of the most frequent and costly natural hazards. Russia experiences between 40 and 70 major floods each year. According to Roshydromet, about 500,000 square kilometers are exposed to flooding risks, with catastrophic impacts possible across 150,000 square kilometers. In 2025, 486 settlements were affected by spring floods, compared with 1,537 in 2024.
Snow accumulation this winter exceeded levels seen in difficult years such as 2013 and 2024. Yet in 2026, water levels did not reach critical thresholds. Russia’s emergency services rely on the Atlas opasnostey i riskov (Atlas of Hazards and Risks), an interactive system that maps natural threats, including flood conditions. Analysts use AI-based models to forecast ice breakup and assess potential consequences.
“The Ministry of Emergency Situations implements preventive measures well in advance to ensure safety during flood-prone periods, including through modern information technologies. The operational approach has changed fundamentally. Previously, key measures began two weeks before rivers opened. Now monitoring and planning start as early as October or November, when ice formation begins,” said Alexander Kurenkov, Minister for Civil Defense, Emergencies, and Disaster Relief.
Satellite imagery from Russian space systems, combined with smart monitoring tools like these sensors, helps identify areas where hydrological conditions may worsen. In Tatarstan, similar high-tech sensors are being deployed in pilot projects. These systems collect data every 10 minutes, which AI models process to generate forecasts. When water levels approach dangerous thresholds, the system issues alerts.
Toward Predictive Flood Management
In the coming years, ground-based sensors will be integrated with satellite monitoring and space-based data streams. Combined with neural networks, this system will move beyond detection, enabling forecasts weeks before flooding begins.
Expanding the sensor network in the Moscow Region is already reshaping how floods are managed. As the technology scales – including potential adoption in other countries – seasonal flooding could shift from an emergency event to a predictable and manageable process.
