Available observed data results for river section 'Sandwell Valley Park to Pack Horse Bridge'
The following data is available for your chosen river reach. To view the data you are interested in, just follow the link from its name.
General Quality Assessment (GQA) data
General Quality Assessment (GQA) data: GQA measures the overall water quality of the river – i.e. it is a way of telling at a glance how clean the water is in a section of the river.
Habitat score
Materials score: The materials score measures how natural the materials that compose the river banks and bed are. A high score means that the river is highly modified, possibly with concrete banks. A low score means the river banks and bed are composed of more natural materials.
Physical score: The physical score measures how much the physical structure of the river has been modified by man. A high score indicates a changed water course, often straightened.
Vegetation score: The vegetation score measures the quantity and variety of vegetation that can be found on this section of the river. A high score indicates a low quantity and diversity of vegetation. A low score indicates a diverse and plentiful supply of vegetation.
Habitat score: The overall habitat score measures how modified the river is from its natural state. It is the sum of the Materials score, Physical score and Vegetation score. A high score means that the river has been highly modified, possibly with concrete banks and little vegetation. A low score means the river is quite natural.
Hydro data
Hydrology - Stage data: Stage data measures how fast the river is flowing at a particular depth.
Water quality data
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD): BOD is a measure of how much oxygen in the river is used up by decaying organic material like dead plants and animals and things washed into the river by storm water runoff. A high BOD is bad as it means there is lots of rotting matter and less oxygen is available for fish and other river life.
Dissolved Oxygen (DO): DO is a measure of how much oxygen is available in the river for the plants and animals to use. A low DO is bad as it means that little oxygen is available, which may cause the river life to die.
Ammonia: Ammonia is an important source of nitrogen for river plants. It is also very alkaline. All plants need a source of nitrogen in order to grow. However, if the nitrogen levels are too high then plant growth can get out of hand, with the resulting increase in dead matter causing a big increase in Biochemical Oxygen Demand. This in turn means that the amount of oxygen in the river falls and fish and other river life may die. This process is known as eutrophication. Also, because it is alkaline, a high level of ammonia may cause the pH (acidity) of the river water to change which can harm the river life.
Suspended Solids (SS): SS is a measure of the amount of pieces of sand, silt and fine bits of leaves, pieces of wood, etc. floating in the river. A high level of suspended solids means that the water will be very murky, which can reduce the amount of life in the river. A high level of suspended solids also make it easier for pollutants to be transported down the river.
Temperature: Temperature is a measure of how warm the water in the river is. In general, colder water contains more life as it can hold more dissolved oxygen. Big increases in water temperature caused by industrial discharge, or by reduction of water flow where dams are operating, or soil erosion may harm the natural river life.
Total Organic Nitrogen (TON): TON is a measure of how much nitrogen is available in the river. All plants need a source of nitrogen in order to grow. However, if the nitrogen levels are too high then plant growth can get out of hand, with the resulting increase in dead matter causing a big increase in Biochemical Oxygen Demand. This in turn means that the amount of oxygen in the river falls and fish and other river life may die. This process is known as eutrophication.
Other options
- Back to WebSMURF river navigation page
- Start again at a new place on the river.
