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CITY OF FORT COLLINS ALERT DATA DISCLAIMER

The City of Fort Collins (the City) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, or completeness of the ALERT data provided by this web site.  THE CITY MAKES NO WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR WARRANTY FOR FITNESS OF USE FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, WITH RESPECT TO THE ALERT DATA PROVIDED BY THIS WEB SITE.  Any user of this alert data web site accepts the same AS IS, WITH FAULTS, and assumes all the responsibility for the use thereof, and further covenants and agrees to hold the City harmless from and against all damage, loss, or liability arising from any use of this ALERT data web site, in consideration of the City having made this information on this web site available.  In addition, the ALERT database contains a certain amount of erroneous data.  Therefore, the user of this data should not consider any of this data as valid without further verification.

All ALERT gaging stations communicate data using 300-baud FM radio transmissions which are rebroadcast by one or more radio repeaters.  Radio interference is one common source of bad data.  ALERT rain measurements are affected by wind, hail, snow, birds, insects, and lawn irrigation systems.  Human tampering is a problem at certain sites.  Routine maintenance activities involve manual testing of rain gages, water level sensors and other measuring devices.  Electronic switches on tipping-buckets occasionally malfunction causing falsely high rainfall reports.  Lightning, which occurs frequently in this region, can cause false reports that may not be apparent.

Even if all ALERT gaging stations could work perfectly, base stations are another possible error source.  Currently there are 5 known ALERT base stations operating in the Fort Collins/Loveland area which collect data independently.  Consequently, some data inconsistencies between the base stations should be expected.  Each base station computer uses its internal clock to attach date/time values (using GMT or Coordinated Universal Time) to data reports received from the gages.  This record is then stored in a database file and the computer displays information using the current local time setting (i.e., MDT or MST).  Computer clocks very in accuracy and must be reset occasionally.  Internal clock batteries eventually die and must be replaced.  When sensors in the field are electronically adjusted or replaced, the ALERT database must also be re-calibrated.  An improperly maintained database is sometimes difficult to detect with misinterpreted data being the likely outcome.  Field maintenance reports, calibration notes, rating tables and alarm settings are available for inspection at the City's Utilities office at 700 Wood Street, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Due to the large number of ALERT stations reporting data, it is not practicable to manually correct all erroneous reports received by the base stations.  Attempting to do so would require considerable effort and present yet another possible source for error.  The City maintains electronic records of data collected by the City of Fort Collins Utilities ALERT Base Station located at the City's Utilities office.  The data on this Base Station is reviewed for accuracy.  All erroneous reports are corrected manually.  Therefore, the ALERT data obtained from the City's Base Station is presumed to be the most accurate.  Individuals requesting information from the City are provided with data from this Base Station unless a known problem requires using an alternate site.  The evaluation, interpretation and verification of ALERT data from this system is the responsibility of the user.

All ALERT data obtained via the Internet is considered provisional.  Data on the web server will not be corrected.  If you experience any problems using the ALERT web page or have any questions concerning this disclaimer, contact Jedd Sondergard at
                    write_email('ftscvcbxzou1kortx6agjsondergard', 'fcgov.com.');

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