A Refined Geomorphological and Floodplain Component River Habitat Survey (GeoRHS)

Geomorphological inputs to river and catchment management are now well respected in the UK, with a series of applied methodologies and extensive experience of adoption of geomorphologically-driven approaches to sustainable management and restoration.

Within the River Habitat Survey (RHS) methodology there was an identified value and need to extend the scope of the geomorphological descriptors to enhance the utility of the data. The earlier Geomorphological Audit add-on to RHS has been applied widely to a range of catchment, sediment and conservation applications.

Adoption of the Water Framework Directive and more integrated approaches to Flood Defence and catchment sediment management are requiring enhanced data, of known quality, to describe hydromorphological quality.

The need for this project was identified thorough the Sediment and Habitats Concerted Action Workshop which sought refinements to the RHS methodology. Development of the methodology has drawn from findings of earlier R&D, particularly in terms of recording standards from W5A-064/TR (Impact of Recent Floods on Channel Morphology and Physical Habitat using RHS Re-Survey).

A refined geomorphological and floodplain component River Habitat Survey (called GeoRHS) is being developed through a joint R+D programme and Sniffer.

This two stage study is being undertaken by a consortium of the GeoData Institute of Southampton University, the University of Newcastle, HYSED and CEH, together with subject-specific consultants.

The project is managed by EA Warrington and SNH on behalf of Sniffer. A Steering Group is advising the project development.