floodriskmanagementni
Development of Erne Model
The gradient of the Erne system upstream of Belleek is remarkably gentle, with the river falling just 5 m over a distance of 80 km.
This low hydraulic gradient has an important consequence: a change in water level at one location can affect water levels, and hence flows, a long way further upstream.
The hydraulic model has enabled revision of the curves that are used to calculate flows from relative water levels and testing of options for flood management.
There are no flow gauges on the River Erne as it flows through Northern Ireland. Instead, flow along the inter-lough channel is estimated from relative levels of the Upper and Lower Loughs. Inflow to the loughs is estimated using a water balance calculation, allowing for outflows and changes in the stored volume of water.
Development of Erne Model
The gradient of the Erne system upstream of Belleek is remarkably gentle, with the river falling just 5 m over a distance of 80 km.
This low hydraulic gradient has an important consequence: a change in water level at one location can affect water levels, and hence flows, a long way further upstream.
The hydraulic model has enabled revision of the curves that are used to calculate flows from relative water levels and testing of options for flood management.
There are no flow gauges on the River Erne as it flows through Northern Ireland. Instead, flow along the inter-lough channel is estimated from relative levels of the Upper and Lower Loughs. Inflow to the loughs is estimated using a water balance calculation, allowing for outflows and changes in the stored volume of water.