IT in Action: Unit 1
Outcome 1
Melbourne Water collects rainfall data using electronic rain gauges installed around
Melbourne suburbs at 144 different locations. These rain gauges send a radio signal to
the Brooklyn and Preston offices when rain is detected. The amount of rainfall and the
time is recorded for each site. The rain collects in a 'check bottle' installed in the rain
gauge, and manual readings are taken at regular intervals to ensure data from the
electronic rain gauges is accurate.
This information is available to anyone just by visiting Melbourne Water’s website @
http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/water_storages/water_report/rainfall_data.asp
According to the information available for February (see attached table) Frankston
North received 5.8mm and Somerton 7.8mm of rain for the whole month. This seems
quite an anomaly when compared to the other 142 sites which received between
39.2mm at Seaford North (which is only 5km away) and 183.5mm at Myrrhee for the
same time period.
Using the Melbourne Water data which dates back to September 2003 by following
the link below can you verify that this could be considered a common occurrence or
either a typographical or machine error by Melbourne Waters equipment.
http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/water_storages/water_report/rainfall_archive.asp?bhcp=1
There also data available from the Bureau of Meteorology which you could use to
verify your findings @ http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/
Your task is to collect any relevant data then using a spreadsheet to create graphs
which support your theories. A written report outlining the problem, how you
undertook your study and your final conclusion along with any relevant graphs must
be handed in. Some data has been supplied for you.
Rainfall for Melbourne for February 2012
Location
Aberfeldy Township
Altona 40 Arthurs Creek
Arthurs Seat
Ashwood
Beenak
Berwick
Blackburn North
Blue Mountain
Braeside Park
Broadmeadows
Brooklyn
Bulla
Bundoora
Burnley
Burwood East
Cambarville
Cardinia
Caulfield
Caulfield North
Christmas Hills
Clarkefield
Clayton
Coburg
Coldstream
Craigieburn
Cranbourne
Dandenong South
Darraweit
Deer Park
Devilbend Reservoir
Diggers Rest
Dixons Creek
Doncaster
Drouin West
Durdidwarrah
Eastern G.C. Doncaster
Elsternwick
Emerald
Epping
Rainfall for 1 Feb 2012 to 29 Feb 2012 (mm)
151.1
100.2
91.6
67.2
48.4
40.6
55.4
95.8
58.4
75.6
50
80.8
60.4
74.8
52.8
117.6
77.2
58.8
75
69.6
155.8
70.6
71.2
86.4
90.4
49.6
41.4
101
63.6
65.6
58.8
80.4
56
56.2
77.4
54.8
49.8
83.4
92.2
Essendon
Fairfield
Fawkner
Fiskville
Flemington
Footscray
Frankston North
Gardiner
Glen Forbes South
Greensborough
Greenvale Reservoir
Groom's Hill
Hampton
Hampton Park
Headworks
Heathmont
Heidelberg
Hoppers Crossing
Hurstbridge
Iona
Ivanhoe
Kangaroo Ground
Keilor
Kew
Keysborough
Kinglake
Knox
Konagaderra
Kooweerup
Lake Borrie
Lancefield North
Lilydale Lake
Loch
Longwarry North
Lower Plenty
Lyndhurst
Lysterfield
Maribyrnong
Maroondah Reservoir
Melton Sth Toolern Creek
Mentone
Mernda
66.8
91.4
77
52.8
60.2
64.6
5.8
62.2
109.4
65.8
98.6
79.6
44.8
56.8
60
54.4
48
46.2
84
104.8
56.8
58.2
85.2
54.4
43.6
98.6
65.4
101
81.4
45.8
84.6
75.2
87.6
50.8
51.4
44.4
72.6
63.4
100.4
64
60.2
76.6
Mitcham
Montrose
Mooroolbark
Mount Dandenong
Mount Evelyn
Mount View
Mt Blackwood
Mt Bullengarook
Mt Donna Buang
Mt Gregory
Mt Hope
Mt Horsfall
Mt Juliet
Mt Macedon
Mt St Gwinear
Mt St Leonard
Myrrhee
Narre Warren North
Nayook
Neerim-Tarago East Branch
North Wharf
Northcote
Notting Hill
O'Shannassy Reservoir
Oakleigh South
Officer
Officer South
Parwon Parwan Creek
Poley Tower
Preston
Ringwood
Rockbank
Romsey
Rosslynne Reservoir
Rowville
Sandringham
Seaford North
Silvan
Smiths Gully
Somerton
Spotswood
Springvale
62
92
76.8
89.2
74.2
58.2
86.6
110.2
103.2
119.2
99
101.3
124.8
154.8
126.6
100.8
183.5
67.8
56.6
63.8
55.4
73.8
59.2
80.8
61.8
62.6
83.6
53.6
113
65.4
90.2
76.2
142.8
104.6
50.2
46
39.2
76.8
112.2
7.8
63.8
74.6
St Albans
St Kilda Marina
Sunbury
Sunshine
Surrey Hills
Tarago Reservoir
The Basin
Thomson Dam
Tonimbuk
Toolern Vale
Torourrong Reservoir
U/S Goodman Creek Lerderderg River
Upper Lang Lang
Upper Pakenham
Upper Yarra Dam
Wallaby Creek
Wallan
Warrandyte
Woori Yallock Creek
Yannathan
Yering
102
56.4
118.4
80.4
53.6
53.6
93.4
100.8
64.8
76.6
151.2
73
71.2
61.4
80.6
77.4
93
55.6
64.4
115.6
93.8