High resolution water quality, hydrological and ecological monitoring in the river Eden catchment (2011 - 2015) [DTC project]
(The River Eden Demonstration Test Catchment (DTC) Data)

The experimental approach used for assessing mitigation used pre-mitigation instream data to provide a baseline against which to compare post-mitigation instream conditions, and also compares a 'manipulated' (mitigated) sub-catchment with a 'non-manipulated' (control) sub-catchment.

Focus catchment outlets at Newby Beck and Pow were both equipped with in-situ analysers and sondes (Hach Lange Sigmatax, Phosphax, Nitratax and ammonium sondes; and a YSI sonde) to monitor the following parameters: total phosphorus , total reactive phosphorus, nitrate , ammonium, pH, conductivity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), chlorophyll-a, turbidity and water level. The catchment outlet at Thackthwaite was equipped with a YSI sonde only, and measured the same parameters except for nutrients.

Nested within all focus catchments, smaller sub-catchments were monitored for turbidity (Analite sonde) and water level. At every monitoring location, an ISCO auto-sampler collected water samples during selected storm events. These samples were routinely analysed in the laboratory, which enables the in situ water quality analysis to be checked against standard methods. Each focus catchment also has its own automated weather station (AWS) including a tipping bucket rain gauge, plus two additional tipping bucket rain gauges. At each monitoring site, where water level was recorded, the stream was gauged and rating curves developed, which were used to convert water level into flow. This archive contains quality assured data generated by field monitoring and laboratory analysis by EdenDTC. Sample collection, analysis and quality assurance protocols were implemented, details of which can be found in the relevant supplementary document.