Title: Kennet and Coln river levels study. Volume two - River Coln : final report
Author: National Rivers Authority Thames Region
Document Type: Monograph
Abstract:
This document is Volume Two of the two volume Final Report on the Kennet and Coin River Levels Study and considers the Coin catchment. The Study was commissioned largely as a result of public concern that the character of the river had changed over the last 30 years. The fundamental concern was with reduced river levels and the general view was that reductions were caused, in great part, by groundwater abstraction for public supply outside the Coin catchment. The Study was divided into two stages and an Interim Report on the Stage One Study was issued in December 1991. This Report updates the findings of the Stage One Study and presents the findings for both Stage One and Stage Two. Stage Two of the study considered the possible causes of the changes identified in Stage One. The main findings were: Severe one year droughts and, in particular, failures of winter rainfall (e.g. 1976) are considered to have a greater detrimental impact on river flow than more extended periods of less severe drought, as experienced in the 1988-91 period; the 1988-91 drought period has reduced natural mean flows by approximately 30 per cent. In summary, groundwater abstraction is at most only a minor factor in the reduced river levels recorded in the river over the last few years. The natural reductions caused by the recent drought are considered to be an order of magnitude greater than the effects of abstraction.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1992
Publication Place: Reading
Subject Keywords: Rivers; Groundwater; River level; Environmental impact; Drought
Geographic Keywords: Kennet; Coln (Gloucestershire); Cotswolds catchment
Extent: 57; + reference and appendices
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:3639
Total file downloads: 338
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