DOCSLIB.ORG

An Analysis of Changes in the Long Term Characteristics of River Flows in the Munster Blackwater Catchment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Analysis of Changes in the Long Term Characteristics of River Flows in the Munster Blackwater Catchment An Analysis of Changes in the Long Term Characteristics of River Flows in the Munster Blackwater Catchment Oliver Nicholson Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Master of Literature Degree, Faculty of Social Sciences Department Of Geography National University of Ireland, Maynooth June 2012 Head of Department: Professor Mark Boyle Supervisor: Dr. Conor Murphy This research was funded by the Office of Public Works ii I dedicate this thesis to my little family iii Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to the people who gave their support and assistance in completing this thesis. I wish to acknowledge the huge help provided by my project supervisor, Dr. Conor Murphy. His clear, concise and focused input helped to constantly keep this thesis on track. It is always reassuring to know that you have somebody fighting your corner for you in the background. I would also like to thank the Office of Public Works for funding this research, and for providing the encouragement to continuously improve my engineering and hydrological knowledge. I would also like to thank Mairéad Treanor of Met Éireann for her efforts searching for, and retrieving the archived Met Éireann charts. My Parents deserve appreciation for providing support, both moral and financial in my formal education so many years ago. Last but not least I would like to thank Irene Nicholson for the encouragement to undertake this research and for the ongoing support once it was underway. She also deserves recognition for taking on the roles of both Father and Mother to Patrick and Brendan during the final six months of this thesis. iv Abstract This project is an analysis of the changing characteristics of river flows in the Munster Blackwater catchment. The portion of the Blackwater catchment above the river flow gauge at Kilavullen was the focus of this study. This is amongst the oldest continuous flow stations in the country with continuous flow data available from 1955 to the present day. Indeed, it can be said that prior to the 1950’s Ireland did not possess a formal continuous flow gauging network, which inhibits the examination of long term trends in Irish river flows. To examine the long-term characteristics of flow at the Kilavullen gauge, the 54 years of flow data that are available are insufficient and a method of extending the flow record at the site was required. Fortunately, organised precipitation and temperature measurements in Ireland date back further than their river flow counterparts. Within this study digital and historical paper based precipitation and temperature records from Met Éireann were compiled for the area in and around the Kilavullen catchment extending back to 1926. This data was quality controlled and where necessary was used to synthesise historical values of potential evapotranspiration before making it fit for purpose for hydrological modelling. This historical data was then used as inputs to the HYSIM and IHACRES lumped conceptual rainfall-runoff models and used to reconstruct flows (hindcast) at the Kilavullen gauge from 1926 to 2009. This hindcast effectively extended the record at Kilavullen from 54 to 84 years (representing a 55% increase in the period of record). Rather than relying blindly on the rainfall-runoff modelling to reconstruct historic flows, a database of historic floods in the catchment was used to validate the hindcasted flows. Tests for gradual trend in the data show statistically significant persistent positive trends in Annual temperatures, rainfall and flows within the catchment. Evidence of trend in spring flows was found to be the overall driving factor of trends in annual flows. Overall results of the trend analysis on the reconstructed flows general shows that in over the last 84 years, floods in winter months are becoming more common, and that floods in summer months are less evident. v Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES .......................................................................................................... X LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................... XIII 1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 AIMS OF THE STUDY .............................................................................................. 1 1.3 THESIS STRUCTURE ............................................................................................... 3 1.3.1 CHAPTER 2 ............................................................................................................ 3 1.3.2 CHAPTER 3 ............................................................................................................ 3 1.3.3 CHAPTER 4 ............................................................................................................ 4 1.3.4 CHAPTER 5 ............................................................................................................ 4 1.3.5 CHAPTER 6 ............................................................................................................ 4 1.3.6 CHAPTER 7 ............................................................................................................ 4 2 LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................................................... 5 2.1 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 5 2.2 EVIDENCE OF GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE ............................................................ 5 2.3 EVIDENCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN IRELAND FROM OBSERVED DATA ................. 6 2.4 FUTURE PROJECTIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE FOR IRELAND .................................. 7 2.5 STUDIES OF TRENDS IN OBSERVED RIVER FLOW DATA ........................................ 8 2.6 PROJECTED FUTURE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON RIVER FLOWS IN IRELAND .......................................................................................................................... 10 2.7 OBSTACLES TO THE DETECTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE IN OBSERVED FLOW RECORDS ......................................................................................................................... 12 2.8 USE OF CONCEPTUAL RAINFALL -RUNOFF MODELS IN HINDCASTING RIVER FLOWS 17 2.9 USE OF HISTORICAL METEOROLOGICAL DATA TO HINDCAST RIVER FLOWS ...... 19 2.10 THE FIELD OF HISTORICAL HYDROLOGY ............................................................ 20 2.11 FLOOD FREQUENCY ANALYSIS ........................................................................... 22 2.12 SUMMARY OF BEST PRACTICE FOR RECONSTRUCTING RIVER FLOWS AND DETECTION OF TRENDS IN FLOOD DATA IDENTIFIED IN THE LITERATURE REVIEW ........ 23 2.13 CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................... 24 3 DESCRIPTION OF CATCHMENT AND DATA COLLECTION .................... 25 3.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 25 3.2 CHOICE OF STUDY CATCHMENT .......................................................................... 25 3.3 CATCHMENT LOCATION ...................................................................................... 26 3.4 TOPOGRAPHY AND RIVER NETWORK IN THE KILAVULLEN CATCHMENT . ............. 26 3.5 SOIL AND SUBSOIL DESCRIPTION ........................................................................ 28 3.6 LAND USE WITHIN THE CATCHMENT ................................................................... 30 3.7 CLIMATE ............................................................................................................. 31 3.8 DESCRIPTION OF THE KILAVULLEN GAUGE ......................................................... 32 3.9 SUMMARY OF CATCHMENT DESCRIPTORS .......................................................... 33 3.10 DATA COLLECTION FOR USE IN HYDROLOGICAL MODELS .................................. 34 3.11 COLLECTION OF RAINFALL DATA ....................................................................... 34 3.11.1 MONTHLY RAINFALL DATA FROM 1899-1920 AT MALLOW – FROM NEWSPAPER RECORDS 36 vi 3.11.2 RAINFALL DATA FROM 1926-1940 – FROM IRISH RAINFALL ASSOCIATION AND MET ÉIREANN PAPER CHARTS .......................................................................................... 38 3.11.3 DIGITAL MET ÉIREANN RAINFALL DATA ............................................................ 40 3.12 COLLECTION OF TEMPERATURE DATA ................................................................ 41 3.12.1 PAPER RECORDS OF TEMPERATURE DATA ......................................................... 42 3.12.2 DIGITAL MET ÉIREANN TEMPERATURE DATA .................................................... 43 3.13 COLLECTION OF POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION (P.E.) DATA ...................... 43 3.13.1 MET ÉIREANN POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION RECORDS ............................... 43 3.14 COLLECTION OF DAILY MEAN FLOW DATA ........................................................ 44 3.14.1 DAILY MEAN FLOW DATA FROM THE OFFICE OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE EPA. 44 3.15 COLLECTION OF HISTORICAL FLOOD DATA ........................................................ 45 3.15.1 NEWSPAPER RECORDS ...................................................................................... 45 3.15.2 FLOODMAPS .IE DATABASE ...............................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Cork County Council
    Development Name Address Line 1 Address Line 2 County / City Council GIS X GIS Y Abbey Fort Kinsale Kinsale Cork County Abbeywood Baneshane Midleton Cork County Altan Church Hill Drimoleague Cork County An Faithin Terelton Macroom Cork County An Tra Geal Garryvoe Garryvoe Cork County Ard Caladh Upper Cork Hill Youghal Cork County Ard Na Gaoithe Dromahane Mallow Cork County Ard Na Gleann Lyre Lyre Cork County Ard Na Greine Cloonlough Mitchelstown Cork County Ard Na Ri Castlelyons Castlelyons Cork County Ashbrook Dromina Cork County Ashdale Spital Cloyne Cork County Ashley Passage West Road Rochestown Cork County Barleyfield Whitechurch Whitechurch Cork County Barr na Claisse Church Hill Innishannon Cork County Barrack Court Barrack Street Whitegate Cork County Berryhill Castlelyons Castlelyons Cork County Bramble Hill Castletreasure Douglas Cork County Bridge Town Court Castlemartyr Castlemartyr Cork County Bridgefield Curraheen Bishopstown Cork County Brightwater Crosshaven Crosshaven Cork County Brindle Hill Rathgoggan South Charleville Cork County Brookfield Ballyviniter Mallow Cork County Broomfield Village Midleton Midleton Cork County Careys Wharf Green Quay Youghal Cork County Carmen Lawn Upper Belmont Rochestown Cork County Carraig Naofa Carrigboy Durrus Cork County Carrig Rua Ballinagree Macroom Cork County Cascade Carrigtwohill Carrigtwohill Cork County Castle Court Old Post Office Road Whitechurch Cork County Castlelake Carrigtwohill Carrigtwohill Cork County Castleoaks Castle Rd Bandon Cork County Churchfield Lisduggan Sth
    [Show full text]
  • Report in Support of Appropriate Assessment Screening Proposed Mallow Town Hall Re-Development
    Report in Support of Appropriate Assessment Screening Proposed Mallow Town Hall Re-development On Behalf of Cork County Council May 2021 Project Report in Support of Appropriate Assessment Screening for Mallow Town Hall Re-development Client Cork County Council Project Ref. 2128 Report No. 2128 Client Ref. - Date Revision Prepared By 09/04/21 1st Draft Sorcha Sheehy BSc PhD 07/05/21 Issue to client Carl Dixon BSc MSc DixonBrosnan Lios Ri Na hAoine, 1 Redemption Road, Cork. Tel 086 851 1437| [email protected] | www.dixonbrosnan.com This report and its contents are copyright of DixonBrosnan. It may not be reproduced without permission. The report is to be used only for its intended purpose. The report is confidential to the client, and is personal and non-assignable. No liability is admitted to third parties. ©DixonBrosnan 2021. AA Screening Mallow Town Hall Re-development 2 DixonBrosnan 2021 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Aim of Report ....................................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Authors of Report ................................................................................................................. 6 2. Regulatory Context and Appropriate Assessment Procedure .........................................
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Draft Nets and Snap Nets)
    Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Draft Nets and Snap Nets) Bye-law No. 988, 2021 I, EAMON RYAN, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 57 of the Inland Fisheries Act 2010 (No. 10 of 2010) , (as adapted by the Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Alteration of Name of Department and Title of Minister) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 373 of 2020)), hereby make the following bye-law: 1. (1) This Bye-law may be cited as the Conservation of Salmon and Sea Trout (Draft Nets and Snap Nets) Bye-law No. 988, 2021. (2) This Bye-law comes into operation on 12 May 2021. 2. In this Bye-law - “annual close season” has the meaning assigned to it by section 129 of the Fisheries (Consolidation) Act 1959; “Castlemaine Harbour” means that part of the sea - (a) east of an imaginary line drawn from Lack Point in the townland of Lack and running in a south-westerly direction through Cromane Point, in the townland of Cromane Lower, to Black Point in the townland of Dooghs, and (b) west or seaward of the defined mouth of the River Laune defined as an imaginary straight line drawn in a southerly direction from Pointantirrig, in the townland of Callanafersy West, to a point in the townland of Reen and that part west or seaward of the defined mouth of the River Maine defined as an imaginary straight line drawn in a north-easterly direction from Rosculien Point, in the townland of Callanafersy West, to Laghtacallow Point in the townland of Laghtacallow, all in the county of Kerry, as defined by the Definition No.
    [Show full text]
  • Table of Contents
    Water Framework Directive Fish Stock Survey of Rivers in the South Western River Basin District, 2013 Fiona L. Kelly, Ronan Matson, Lynda Connor, Rory Feeney, Emma Morrissey, John Coyne and Kieran Rocks Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24 CITATION: Kelly, F.L., Matson, R., Connor, L., Feeney, R., Morrissey, E., Coyne, J. and Rocks, K. (2014) Water Framework Directive Fish Stock Survey of Rivers in the South Western River Basin District. Inland Fisheries Ireland, 3044 Lake Drive, Citywest Business Campus, Dublin 24, Ireland. Cover photo: WFD team electric-fishing © Inland Fisheries Ireland © Inland Fisheries Ireland 2014 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to gratefully acknowledge the help and co-operation of the regional director Dr. Pat Buck and staff from IFI Macroom as well as various other offices throughout the region. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the help and cooperation of colleagues in IFI Swords. We would like to thank the landowners and angling clubs that granted us access to their land and respective fisheries. Furthermore, the authors would like to acknowledge the funding provided for the project from the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources for 2013. PROJECT STAFF Project Director/Senior Research Officer: Dr. Fiona Kelly Project Manager: Ms. Lynda Connor Research Officer: Dr. Ronan Matson Technician Mr. Rory Feeney Technician: Ms. Emma Morrissey Technician: Mr. John Coyne GIS Officer: Mr. Kieran Rocks Fisheries Assistant: Mr. Johannes Bulfin (Jul 2013 – Dec 2013) Fisheries Assistant: Mr. John Finn (Jul 2013 – Dec 2013) Fisheries Assistant: Ms. Karen Kelly (Jul 2013 – Dec 2013) Fisheries Assistant: Ms.
    [Show full text]
  • Cork County Grit Locations
    Cork County Grit Locations North Cork Engineer's Area Location Charleville Charleville Public Car Park beside rear entrance to Library Long’s Cross, Newtownshandrum Turnpike Doneraile (Across from Park entrance) Fermoy Ballynoe GAA pitch, Fermoy Glengoura Church, Ballynoe The Bottlebank, Watergrasshill Mill Island Carpark on O’Neill Crowley Quay RC Church car park, Caslelyons The Bottlebank, Rathcormac Forestry Entrance at Castleblagh, Ballyhooley Picnic Site at Cork Road, Fermoy beyond former FCI factory Killavullen Cemetery entrance Forestry Entrance at Ballynageehy, Cork Road, Killavullen Mallow Rahan old dump, Mallow Annaleentha Church gate Community Centre, Bweeng At Old Creamery Ballyclough At bottom of Cecilstown village Gates of Council Depot, New Street, Buttevant Across from Lisgriffin Church Ballygrady Cross Liscarroll-Kilbrin Road Forge Cross on Liscarroll to Buttevant Road Liscarroll Community Centre Car Park Millstreet Glantane Cross, Knocknagree Kiskeam Graveyard entrance Kerryman’s Table, Kilcorney opposite Keim Quarry, Millstreet Crohig’s Cross, Ballydaly Adjacent to New Housing Estate at Laharn Boherbue Knocknagree O Learys Yard Boherbue Road, Fermoyle Ball Alley, Banteer Lyre Village Ballydesmond Church Rd, Opposite Council Estate Mitchelstown Araglin Cemetery entrance Mountain Barracks Cross, Araglin Ballygiblin GAA Pitch 1 Engineer's Area Location Ballyarthur Cross Roads, Mitchelstown Graigue Cross Roads, Kildorrery Vacant Galtee Factory entrance, Ballinwillin, Mitchelstown Knockanevin Church car park Glanworth Cemetery
    [Show full text]
  • Notice of Situation of Polling Stations
    DÁIL GENERAL ELECTION Friday, 26th day of February, 2016 CONSTITUENCY OF CORK NORTH WEST NOTICE OF SITUATION OF POLLING STATIONS: I HEREBY GIVE NOTICE that the Situation and Allotment of the different Polling Stations and the description of Voters entitled to vote at each Station for the Constituency of Cork North West on Friday, 26th day of February 2016, is as follows: NO. OF NO. OF POLLING POLLING DISTRICT ELECTORAL DIVISIONS IN WHICH ELECTORS RESIDE SITUATION OF POLLING PLACE POLLING POLLING DISTRICT ELECTORAL DIVISIONS IN WHICH ELECTORS RESIDE SITUATION OF POLLING PLACE STATION DISTRICT STATION DISTRICT 143 01KM - IA Clonfert East (Part) Church View, Tooreenagreena, Rockchapel To Tooreenagreena, Rockchapel. Rockchapel National School 1 174 20KM - IT Cullen Millstreet (Part) Ahane Beg, Cullen To Two Gneeves, Cullen. Cullen Community Centre (Elector No. 1 – 218) (Elector No. 1-356) Clonfert West (Part) Cloghvoula, Rockchapel To Knockaclarig, Rockchapel. (Elector No. 219 – 299) Derragh Ardnageeha, Cullen To Milleenylegane, Derrinagree. (Elector No. 357 – 530) 144 DO Knockatooan Grotto Terrace, Knockahorrea East, Rockchapel To Tooreenmacauliffe, Tournafulla, Co. Limerick. Rockchapel National School 2 (Elector No. 300 – 582) 175 21KM - IU Cullen Millstreet (Part) Knockeenadallane, Rathmore To Knockeenadallane, Knocknagree, Mallow. Knocknagree National School 1 (Elector No. 1 – 21) 145 02KM - IB Barleyhill (Part) Clashroe, Newmarket To The Terrace, Knockduff, Upper Meelin, Newmarket. Meelin Hall 1 (Elector No. 1 – 313) Doonasleen (Part) Doonasleen East, Kiskeam Mallow To Ummeraboy West, Knocknagree, Mallow. 146 DO Glenlara Commons North, Newmarket To Tooreendonnell, Meelin, Newmarket. (Elector No. 314 – 391) Meelin Hall 2 (Elector No. 22 – 184) Rowls Cummeryconnell North, Meelin, Newmarket To Rowls-Shaddock, Meelin, Newmarket.
    [Show full text]
  • Appendix B (List of Places)
    Overall Strategy and Main Policy Material APPENDIX B: LIST OF PLACES A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Note: The following table serves as a checklist of relevant zoning maps for the various settlements and locations throughout the county, including the 31 main settlements for which new zoning maps have been included in this plan (see Volumes 3 and 4). Most of the references however relate to a range of smaller settlements and locations for which there are no new zoning specific objectives in this plan. The governing provision for these areas is objective ZON 1-4 in Chapter 9 of this volume. It states as follows: “Where lands out- side the main settlements were zoned in the 1996 County Development Plan (or in subsequent variations to that plan), the specific zoning objectives for such lands, until such time as the appropriate Local Area Plan has been adopted, shall be those set out in the 1996 County Development Plan (as varied), subject to such objectives being consistent with the overall strategy and general objectives of this plan. The table shows the relevant page number and volume from the 1996 County Development Plan where the relevant basic zoning map can be found, together with a reference (where appropriate) to any subsequent zoning variations that were made for that settlement / location. 2003 County 1996 County Development Plan Development Plan Zoning Map No. Issue No. Zoning Map Relevant variation(s) A Aghabullogue South Cork vol Page 281 Aghada Zoning Map 30 Issue 1 Ahakista West Cork vol Page 112 Aherla South Cork vol Page 256 Allihies West Cork vol Page 124 Ardarostig (Bishopstown) Zoning Map 12 Issue 1 Ardfield West Cork vol Page 46 Ardgroom West Cork vol Page 126 Ardnageehy Beg (Bantry) West Cork vol Page 112 B Ballinadee South Cork vol Page 230 CORK County Development Plan Issue 1: February 2003 2003 221 Appendix B.
    [Show full text]
  • Macroom Managers Report
    Macroom Electoral Area Draft Local Area Plan County Manager’s Report to Members UNDER SECTION 20 (3) (F) OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTS Manager’s Recommendations on the Proposed Amendment to the Macroom Electoral Area Draft Local Area Plan August 2005 NOTE: This document should be read in conjunction with the Macroom Electoral Area Draft Local Area Plan (Public Consultation Draft – January 2005) August 2005 Cork County Council Planning Policy Unit 2 Section 20 (3) (f) Manager’s Report to Members Macroom Electoral Area Draft Local Area Plan 7 Cork County Council Planning Policy Unit August 2005 Section 20 (3) (f) Manager’s Report to Members 3 Macroom Electoral Area Draft Local Area Plan Section 20(3)(f) Manager’s Report to Members 1 Introduction 1.1 This report has been prepared in response to the submissions and observations made on the Proposed Amendment to the Macroom Electoral Local Area Plan dated June 2005 and sets out the Manager’s recommendation. 1.2 There are two Appendices to this report. Appendix A includes a full list of all of the submissions and observations made as well as a brief summary of the issues raised in each. 1.3 Appendix B contains details of the Manager’s opinion in relation to the issues raised relevant to each draft change. To meet the requirements of the Planning and Development Acts, this takes account of: • The proper planning and sustainable development of the area; • Statutory obligations of local authorities in the area; and • Relevant policies or objectives of the Government or Ministers.
    [Show full text]
  • Ballinagree Wind Farm
    CONSULTANTS IN ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & PLANNING BALLINAGREE WIND FARM ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING REPORT Prepared for: Coillte and Brookfield Date: June 2020 Core House, Pouladuff Road, Cork T: +353 21 496 4133 E: [email protected] CORK | DUBLIN | CARLOW www.fehilytimoney.ie ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT – SCOPING REPORT Rev. Description of Changes Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by: Date: No. 0 For Issue EH/CF TB JH 01.07.20 Client: Coillte Renewable Energy & Brookfield Renewable Ireland Limited Keywords: Ballinagree, Wind Turbines, Renewable Energy, Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Scoping, Planning Application Abstract: This is a scoping report prepared for a proposed wind energy development near Ballinagree, County Cork. The purpose of the scoping report is to identify the content and extent of the information to be provided in the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for the proposed project. Please send all responses to: [email protected] or respond by post to: Fehily Timoney & Company, Core House, Pouladuff Road, County Cork P2114 www.fehilytimoney.ie TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Comhairle Contae Choreai Cork County Council
    Halla an Cbontae, Coccaigh, Eire. Fon, (021) 4276891. Faies, (021) 4276321 Comhairle Contae Choreai Su.lomh Greasiin: www.corkcoco.ie County Hall, Cork County Council Cock, Ireland. Tel, (021) 4276891 • F=, (021) 4276321 Web: www.corkcoco.ie Administration, Environmental Licensing Programme, Office ofClimate, Licensing & Resource Use, Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Inspectorate, Inniscarra, County Cork. 30th September 20 I0 D0299-01 Re: Notice in accordance with Regulation 18(3)(b) ofthe Waste Water Discharge (Authorisation) Regulations 2007 Dear Mr Huskisson, With reference to the notice received for the Ballymakeera Waste Water Discharge Licence Application on the 2nd ofJune last and Cork County Council's response ofthe 24th June seeking a revised submission date ofthe 30th ofSeptember 2010 please find our response attached. For inspection purposes only. Consent of copyright owner required for any other use. atncia Power Director of S ices, Area Operations South, Floor 5, County Hall, Cork. EPA Export 26-07-2013:23:31:10 Revised Non-Technical Summary – Sept 2010 Ballyvourney and Ballymakeera are two contiguous settlements located approximately 15 kilometres northwest of Macroom on the main N22 Cork to Killarney road and are the largest settlements located within the Muskerry Gaeltacht region. The Waste Water Works and the Activities Carried Out Therein Until the sewer upgrade in 2007 the sewer network served only the eastern part of the combined area and discharged to a septic tank which has an outfall that discharges to the River Sullane. The existing sewers had inadequate capacity and some of the older pipelines had been laid at a relatively flat fall and so could not achieve self cleansing velocities.
    [Show full text]
  • Report No. 268
    Report No. 268 FloodWarnTech Synthesis Report: Flood Warning Technologies for Ireland Authors: Michael Bruen and Mawuli Dzakpasu www.epa.ie ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Monitoring, Analysing and Reporting on the The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for Environment protecting and improving the environment as a valuable asset • Monitoring air quality and implementing the EU Clean Air for for the people of Ireland. We are committed to protecting people Europe (CAFÉ) Directive. and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation and • Independent reporting to inform decision making by national pollution. and local government (e.g. periodic reporting on the State of Ireland’s Environment and Indicator Reports). The work of the EPA can be divided into three main areas: Regulating Ireland’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Preparing Ireland’s greenhouse gas inventories and projections. Regulation: We implement effective regulation and environmental • Implementing the Emissions Trading Directive, for over 100 of compliance systems to deliver good environmental outcomes and the largest producers of carbon dioxide in Ireland. target those who don’t comply. Knowledge: We provide high quality, targeted and timely Environmental Research and Development environmental data, information and assessment to inform • Funding environmental research to identify pressures, inform decision making at all levels. policy and provide solutions in the areas of climate, water and sustainability. Advocacy: We work with others to advocate for a clean, productive and well protected environment and for sustainable Strategic Environmental Assessment environmental behaviour. • Assessing the impact of proposed plans and programmes on the Irish environment (e.g. major development plans). Our Responsibilities Radiological Protection Licensing • Monitoring radiation levels, assessing exposure of people in We regulate the following activities so that they do not endanger Ireland to ionising radiation.
    [Show full text]
  • Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 76, National Otter Survey of Ireland 2010/12
    ISSN 1393 – 6670 National Otter Survey of Ireland 2010/12 Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 76 National Otter Survey of Ireland 2010/12 Neil Reid1, Brian Hayden1,2, Mathieu G. Lundy1, Stéphane Pietravalle3, Robbie A. McDonald3,4, W. Ian Montgomery1 1 Quercus, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, MBC, 97 Lisburn Road, BELFAST. BT9 7BL. Northern Ireland (UK). www.quercus.ac.uk 2 University of Helsinki, Kilpisjärvi Biological Station, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Viikinkaari 9, Helsinki. (Finland). www.helsinki.fi 3 Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA), Sand Hutton, York. YO41 1LZ. England (UK). www.fera.defra.gov.uk 4 University of Exeter, Environment and Sustainability Institute, Cornwall Campus, 7 Tremough Barton Colleges, Penryn, Cornwall. TR10 9EZ. England (UK). http://www.exeter.ac.uk/esi Citation: Reid, N., Hayden, B., Lundy, M.G., Pietravalle, S., McDonald, R.A. & Montgomery, W.I. (2013) National Otter Survey of Ireland 2010/12. Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 76. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Dublin, Ireland. The NPWS Project Officer for this report was Dr Ferdia Marnell: [email protected] Cover photo: © Philip MacKenzie, Middlesex, London. (UK) www.photoshowcase.co.uk Irish Wildlife Manuals Series Editor: F. Marnell & R. Jeffrey © National Parks and Wildlife Service 2013 ISSN 1393 – 6670 Otter survey of Ireland 2010/12 Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 7 1. INTRODUCTION 8 1.1 Species biology and ecology 9 1.2 Threats to otter populations 10 1.3 Associated habitats 10 1.4 Sources of bias and error in otter surveys 11 1.5 Current status 14 1.6 Aims of the current study 15 2.
    [Show full text]