With the help of land owner / manager members of the Wensum Alliance, a number of high-spec monitoring installations have been put in place to collect data. The links below explain more about the research design and the types of data being collected.

What happened when it rained? [Click here] to see the results of the rainfall event of 5th & 6th March!

 
Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum

Monitoring in the Blackwater Study Area:

The map on the right shows the Blackwater area of the Wensum catchment and the approximate locations of the monitoring sites. The area has been divided into a number of zones. Two of these (C & D) will act as 'controls' where no intervention will take place. Two other areas (A & B) are where our farmer/landowner colleagues will be participating in some experimental changes in crop management that it is thought will help improve water quality.

We are currently collecting data for each monitoring point. This includes rainfall, flow rates, nitrate and phosphate concentrations etc. If you click on the links below you will be able to see monthly graphs of some of the data from each point.


Mini-monitoring sites

The mini-monitoring stations are recording water quality from smaller land areas that in combination with experimental changes in land management will help to identify which factors or combinations of factors lead to improvements in water quality. The kiosks contain an automatic water sampler and multi-parameter sonde, and in-stream turbidity meter, flow meter and water level pressure transducer.

Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT A: Records the main area where experimental
changes in land management are planned to
improve water quality.
To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL & TURBIDITY data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE
Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT B: Records a second area where experimental
changes in land management are planned.

To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL & TURBIDITY data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE

Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT C: Records an area where no changes in land
management are planned.
 
To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL & TURBIDITY data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE
Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT D: Records a second area where no changes in
land management are planned.
 
To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL & TURBIDITY data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE


Main Monitoring sites

The two larger monitoring sites collect a wider range of data. Site E reflects the overall effects of the experimental measures implemented in zones A and B, and site F will reflect data from the whole sub-catchment. The Kiosks at E and F contain the same equipment as the Mini-kiosks and additionally include nutrient analysers (Total P, Dissolved reactive P and Nitrate).

Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT E: At the confluence of subcatchments A & B.
Examines the influence of experimental test
measures on water quality.
To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL, NITRATE, TURBIDITY
& PHOSPHOROUS data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE
Catchment monitoring setup on the River Wensum
POINT F: Represents the status of the whole Black-
water study area.

To see RAINFALL, WATER LEVEL, NITRATE, TURBIDITY
& PHOSPHOROUS data CLICK HERE
To see WATER TEMP, pH, CONDUCTIVITY & DISSOLVED OXYGEN data CLICK HERE