Water quality. Guidance standard for assessing the hydromorphological features of rivers

BS EN 14614:2004, BS 6068-5.36:2004 Water quality. Guidance standard for assessing the hydromorphological features of rivers

BS EN 14614 provides guidance on the features to be recorded when characterising and assessing the hydromorphology of rivers. It is based on methods developed, tested, and compared in Europe.

The main aim of BS EN 14614 is to improve the comparability of hydromorphological survey methods, data processing, interpretation and presentation of results. Whilst it has particular importance in relation to the reporting requirements of the Water Framework Directive, it also has considerably wider scope for other applications.

Although hydromorphology is dependent on hydrology and underlying geology, BS EN 14614 is focused on the structural features of rivers and on river continuity. In addition, whilst recognising the important influence of hydromorphology on plant and animal ecology and, conversely, the influence of plants and animals on hydromorphology, no attempt is made to provide guidance in this area.

For more information on characterizing modifications to hydromorpholical features, see BS EN 15843

Contents of BS EN 14614:

Foreword

Introduction

1 Scope

2 Terms and definitions

3 Principle

4 Survey requirements

4.1 River ‘types’

4.2 Dividing rivers into reaches

4.3 Survey strategy

4.4 Scale of surveys and evaluations

4.5 Timing and frequency of field surveys

4.6 Reference conditions

5 Features for survey and assessment

5.1 Standard suite of features

5.2 Feature recording related to purpose and method of data gathering

6 Field survey procedure

7 Classification and reporting based on hydromorphological assessment

7.1 General

7.2 Bed and bank character

7.3 Planform and river profile

7.4 Lateral connectivity and freedom of lateral movement

7.5 Free flow of water and sediment in the channel

7.6 Vegetation in the riparian zone

8 Data presentation

8.1 General

9 Quality assurance

9.1 Training and quality assurance for survey and assessment

9.2 Training manuals

9.3 Data entry and validation

Bibliography