Manastash Ridge
Manastash Ridge Observatory (SC00) site is located east of Ellensburg, Washington on
Manastash Ridge. This site is the first geodetic quality SuomiNet site. A microwave
communications link between the Observatory and CWU provides real-time data flow.
With help from SCIGN and UNAVCO, we installed a smaller, hand-drilled geodetic
monument, known as the short drilled-braced geodetic monument. The monument
design is perfect for rapid installations of continuous GPS sites.
It consists of 1-inch diameter stainless-steel rods forming a quad-pol that stands about 3
feet above the ground surface and is anchored 3 to 6 feet into bedrock. A generator-
powered handhelp rotary drill using a 1.5-inch diameter drill bit is used to prepare
the holes. Epoxy is used to anchor the stainless-steel rod in the holes.
