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Project title

IHRN: Update and Expansion of an Irish Hydrometric Reference Network for monitoring climate signals

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Maynooth University (MU)

Lead Applicant

Conor Murphy

Project Abstract

The Irish Hydrometric Reference Network (IHRN) project will develop a network of quality assured observational records for rivers, lakes and groundwater suitable for monitoring climate variability and change. IHRN stations, identified in consulation with hydrometic experts will be based on criteria such as record length, observational quality and the minimisation confounding factors (e.g landuse change, urbanisation, arterial drainage) and will be representative of hydrological conditions across the island. The network can be used to detect evidence of climate change. Where feasible hydrological models will be used to extend record length back in time to assist with contextualising variability and change and identification of the effects of arterial drainage and landuse change. Trend analysis, including assessment of step changes and monotonic trends will be evaluated using state of the art methods for the full range of flow conditions, with variability and change in hydrometic series evaluated in the context of key modes of climate variability. Techniques will also be developed to allow identification of sentinel stations and indicators that are most likely to exhibit the earliest signals of human driven climate change. The IHRN will build on previous work from the EPA HydroDetect project and add an important tool to the armoury of water management in an era of climate change. The resultant network and analysis will make important contributions to tracking and monintoring change in the context of the Water Framwork Directive, the Floods Directive, water resource planning and environmental monitoring and reporting more broadly. Internationally, links will be made with other reference type networks, especially through the ROBIN project which seeks to develop an international network of reference networks for improved monitoring and understanding of climate change impacts on hydrological systems.

Grant Approved

�149,034.41

Research Hub

Natural Environment

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

02/01/2023

Initial Projected Completion Date

01/01/2025