Drought Deficit Monitoring Helping the EA Understand the Health and Drivers of our Nations Chalk Streams

Chalk streams are a fragile ecosystem that can be found in the Southeast England and East Anglia. Their flow rates in summer or during drought is often dependant upon groundwater levels, however during a storm they can be flashy leading to local flooding.

RDN are proud to announce that their portable flow gauging stations have been selected by Anglian Water in this EA funded project for the second year in secession to undertake drought deficit monitoring on several watercourses across SE England, the Midlands and North Lincolnshire.

Chalk stream flow gauging station

Selected for their MCERT integrated Vegapulse C21 radar, their vandal proof, including bullet proof enclosure, plus the use of Iridium Satellite, enabled all the gauges to be deployed and to work out the box first time without any issue of cellular coverage as often experienced in these types of locations below road height.

Chalk Stream flow Monitoring for drought deficit protection

Permission to install was rapid thanks to the RDN’s team’s creating an ingenious range of adjustable security clamps that permit the gauges to be mounted, levelled, calibrated and removed without the need for drilling.

Portable chalk stream gauging station mounting clamp for 9in to 15in walls

Supplied with soft foam jaws, the clamps are designed to squeeze and not damage the wall of the bridge in any way.

Chalk stream level gauging station

The examples above are just two of the many solutions available that enable gauges to be fitted to heritage bridges without the need for drilling, however are secure enough to prevent theft or vandalism.

Although disguised to look like mild steel the brackets are actually manufactured from stainless steel to ensure that rust streaks are not left on brickwork.

Portable chalk stream gauging station on bridge