River and lough levels
Rivers Agency, through its Hydrometric Section, manages and operates the Northern Ireland surface water hydrometric network. It is responsible for :
Monitoring Water Levels
The Northern Ireland Surface Water Hydrometric Network monitors water levels on rivers, lough and sea at approximately 100 locations. Modern technology allows transfer of data from these stations to Headquarters automatically by phone, and river levels can be monitored remotely.
Approximately 80 of these gauging stations are situated on rivers for which relationships between water level and river flow are derived; this allows the estimation of flows in those rivers. Water levels and flow data information is employed in flood estimation for flood alleviation and river maintenance works.
Provision of water level and flow data to others
Hydrometric Section also supplies water level and flow data to:
- DOE Planning Service: for use in respect of their development control responsibilities;
- DOE Environment & Heritage Service: for water quality monitoring, i.e. discharge consents and pollution incidents;
- DRD Water Service: for water resources planning; and
- UK National River Flow Archive at Wallingford, England
- Other uses for water level and flow data are:
- Environmental Research;
- Hydro-electric power generation;
- River navigation; and
- Educational purposes by Universities and Schools.
River and lough level maintenance
The Agency aims to ensure that levels in Lough Neagh and Lough Erne are maintained within specific ranges, other than during periods when climatic conditions make this impossible, and so far as reasonably practicable, in the general interest of stakeholders. Water levels are monitored on a daily basis.
The control of water levels entails liaising with organisations representing commercial, recreational and environmental interests
